Which population serves the function of secondary consumers in a temperate deciduous forest? A. White-tailed deer eat nuts. B. Rat snakes eat gray squirrels. C. Sweet gum trees make their own food. D. Black walnut trees perform photosynthesis.

The rat snakes eat gray squirrels serves the function of secondary consumers in a temperate deciduous forest.

Option: B

Explanation:

In a traditional food network, secondary consumers comprise the third trophic stage. They are species which feed on energy and nutrients from the primary consumers. Although the primary consumers are usually herbivores; species that depend only on autotrophic plants, carnivores or omnivores may be secondary consumers. The main prey to these rat snakes are the larvae of rats, birds, and reptiles. They are also seen consuming chicken eggs or climbing trees for eating eggs from small birds. They can sometimes eat voles, squirrels, and chipmunks.