filter feeding

British  

noun

1. zoology a method of feeding occurring in some aquatic animals, such as planktonic invertebrates and whalebone whales, in which minute food particles are filtered from the surrounding water

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Other Word Forms

• filter feeder noun

Example Sentences

"They provide habitat for many other marine animals, boost fish production, protect shorelines from stormy seas, and even clean the water with their filter feeding."

From Science Daily • May 9, 2024

The only real downside to filter feeding is that "the food supply might be seasonal, and could be in low supply at some times of year — but that's true for everything," Benton said.

From Salon • Aug. 9, 2023

That can harm filter feeding species like corals and sponges, and could smother or otherwise interfere with some creatures.

From Seattle Times • Jul. 2, 2023

They are filter feeding , during when they extract small pieces of food and particles from the water.

From Slate • Dec. 14, 2022

Asian carp were introduced to the United States in the 1970s by fisheries and sewage treatment facilities that used the fish’s excellent filter feeding capabilities to clean their ponds of excess plankton.

From Textbooks • Jun. 9, 2022