What defines a scavenger in an ecosystem?

A scavenger in an ecosystem is defined as an organism that feeds on dead organisms. Scavengers play a crucial role in the food web by cleaning up the environment as they consume decaying organic matter. This process not only helps to recycle nutrients back into the ecosystem but also plays an important part in disease control by limiting the spread of pathogens that could thrive on decaying carcasses.

Unlike predators, which actively hunt and kill live prey, scavengers typically feed on organisms that have already died from natural causes or other factors. This differentiates them from other types of consumers, such as herbivores, which consume living plants, and photosynthetic organisms, which convert sunlight into energy. Through this foraging behavior, scavengers contribute to the health and sustainability of their ecosystems by breaking down and recycling organic matter.