Which term describes an organism that eats already dead animals?

Study for the 9th Grade Biology SOL Test. Prepare with flashcards and multiple choice questions, each featuring hints and explanations. Get ready for your exam!

Multiple Choice

Which term describes an organism that eats already dead animals?

Explanation:
An organism that eats already dead animals is a scavenger. Scavengers feed on carrion, helping to rapidly remove dead bodies from the environment and begin the nutrient-recycling process. They’re different from decomposers, like bacteria and fungi, which break down dead material chemically after scavengers have consumed what they can. Producers are the plants that make their own food, and herbivores eat plants. Examples of scavengers include vultures, hyenas, and some beetles, maggots, and other insects that feed on dead tissue.

An organism that eats already dead animals is a scavenger. Scavengers feed on carrion, helping to rapidly remove dead bodies from the environment and begin the nutrient-recycling process. They’re different from decomposers, like bacteria and fungi, which break down dead material chemically after scavengers have consumed what they can. Producers are the plants that make their own food, and herbivores eat plants. Examples of scavengers include vultures, hyenas, and some beetles, maggots, and other insects that feed on dead tissue.

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