scavenger
Sign in to savethumb|upright=1.2|White-backed vulture (Gyps africanus), [[lappet-faced vultures (Torgos tracheliotos) and marabou storks (Leptoptilos crumenifer) feeding on hyena carrion]] thumb|upright=1.2|A crab-eating raccoon (Procyon cancrivorus) scavenging in trash for food
AI overview
A scavenger is an animal that feeds on carrion (dead animals) or discarded food rather than hunting live prey. Scavengers play an important ecological role by consuming dead organic matter, which helps prevent the buildup of carcasses and recycles nutrients back into the environment.
AI-generated from the Wikipedia summary — may contain errors.
Article
18 sectionsContents
- Etymology
- Related terminology
- Types of scavengers
- Scavengers that feed on carrion
- Scavengers that feed on dead plants
- Scavengers that feed on discarded food
- Prehistoric scavengers
- Ecological function
- Disease transmission
- Threats
- Benefits to humans
- In humans
- Gallery
- See also
- Notes
- References
- Further reading
- External links
thumb|upright=1.2|White-backed vulture (Gyps africanus), [[lappet-faced vultures (Torgos tracheliotos) and marabou storks (Leptoptilos crumenifer) feeding on hyena carrion]] thumb|upright=1.2|A crab-eating raccoon (Procyon cancrivorus) scavenging in trash for food
Scavengers are animals that feed on dead and decaying organic matter. Often the term is used to describe the consumption of carrion, the bodies of animals that have died from causes other than predation or the bodies of animals that have been killed by other predators. However, the term is also used to describe animals that feed on rotting plant matter or refuse.