Article on other languages:
- Carnuzero
- Mrchožrout
- Aasfresser
- Carroñero
- Sarraskijale
- Nécrophagie
- Necrófago_(bioloxía)
- Strvinar
- Manj-kadavro
- Hrææta
- Saprofagia
- אוכלי_נבלות
- Aaseter
- 腐肉食
- Åtseleter
- Åtseletar
- Padlinożercy
- Detritívoro
- Aya_mikhuq
- Детритофаги
- Лешинар
- Asätare
- 食腐動物
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Scavenging, or necrophagy, is a carnivorous feeding behaviour in which a predator consumes corpses or carrion that were killed to be eaten by the predator or others of its species. Scavengers play an important role in the ecosystem by contributing to the decomposition of dead animal remains. Decomposers complete this process, by consuming the remains left by scavengers.
Well known scavengers include vultures, burying beetles, blowflies, yellowjackets, and raccoons. Many large carnivores that hunt regularly, such as hyenas and lions, will scavenge if given the chance.
Animals which consume feces, such as dung beetles, are referred to as coprovores. Animals which primarily consume dead plants are referred to as detritivores. The eating of carrion from the same species, is referred to as cannibalism.
 Vultures eating the carcass of a wildebeest |
 Jungle Crow feeding on a small dead shark |
 Harvestman eating the tail of a five-lined skink |
References
- Merriam-Webster's Dictionary
- Smith TM, Smith RL (2006) Elements of Ecology. Sixth edition. Benjamin Cummings, San Francisco, CA.
- Chase, et al. The Scavenger Handbook. Bramblewood Press, Santa Barbara, CA.
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