Define the term scavengers?

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Detailed Solution

Scavengers are animals that feed on dead and decaying plants or animals and help clean the environment. A scavenger finds and eats organisms that are already dead instead of actively hunting healthy prey. By doing this, scavengers quickly remove carcasses and organic remains from nature, which reduces disease spread, recycles nutrients, and supports a healthy ecosystem.

Examples of scavengers

Birds: vultures, crows, kites
Mammals: hyenas, jackals, some foxes
Marine/shore animals: crabs, lobsters, some fish
Insects: certain beetles, ants, flies (larvae)

Why scavengers are important?

Natural clean-up: remove dead matter quickly; keep habitats clean.
Nutrient recycling: return nutrients to soil and water, helping plant growth.
Disease control: fewer rotting carcasses → fewer harmful microbes.
Energy transfer: link between large dead biomass and decomposers (bacteria, fungi).

Feature	Scavengers	Decomposers
What they do	Eat dead remains as food	Break down remains chemically
Type of organism	Animals (birds, mammals, crustaceans)	Microbes (bacteria, fungi)
Role in cycle	Physical removal and fragmentation	Convert to minerals and simple molecules

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