Which term refers to animals that are hunted or caught for food?

The term that refers to animals that are hunted or caught for food is "prey." Prey species are those that are typically consumed by predators, and they play a crucial role in the food web of an ecosystem. In this dynamic, prey provides sustenance for predators, enabling a balance between different species.

Understanding the concept of prey is vital, as it highlights the relationships in ecosystems where organisms depend on one another for survival. Prey species often have adaptations that help them evade predators, such as camouflage, speed, or herd behavior. This interaction forms a fundamental part of ecological studies, particularly in understanding energy flow and population dynamics within aquatic and terrestrial environments.

In comparison, other terms like predators refer to animals that hunt, scavengers to those that consume dead animals, and competitors refer to species that vie for the same resources in an ecosystem without necessarily being part of a predator-prey dynamic.