However, this is where scavengers swoop in (we are talking of vultures quite literally here) and make sure that the organisms that are already dead do not have to go through the entire process of natural decay. The ecosystem generally returns the energy and nutrients of a dead animal by rotting and the natural process of degradation or decomposition.

The last level of the food chain is formed by scavengers. As is very evident, plants are not equipped with the features or body parts that are required to be able to kill or hunt an animal and feed on it. Any animal that is classified as a predator is usually dependent on the meat and flesh of other organisms, which is a phenomenon that is completely absent in producers. The feeding of predators is therefore dependent on the environment and the species of animals who are available to be killed and eaten. A predator eats producers, as well as other herbivores or carnivores of the ecosystem. The most common and most widely known producers are plants, since plants never consume other animals or organisms. The food material of the producers is derived from naturally available resources, such as nutrients that are found in the soil. Producers are usually the organisms that do not feed on other living organisms. The three tiers (or levels) of food chains include producers, predators and scavengers. Animals that indulge in scavenging and create a life around the act are usually carnivores, although, there are some animals that also feed on plants and dead plant matter. In food chains, there are generally three tiers in which animals are classified and placed. By doing this, they help to transfer energy from one level to another. In the food chains of various ecosystems around the world, scavengers play an important part and eat dead animals and plant material.

They will choose a carcass for dinner over actually needing to hunt! To scavenge something essentially refers to retrieving material that has already been discarded. However, the term 'scavenger' is actually derived from the animals of the food chain that play an important role in the ecosystem by feeding on dead and decaying animals.

You might have heard of a scavenger hunt, which usually refers to a game where you hunt for different items for fun. If you enjoy this article, why not also check out rarest animals and pack animals. To learn more about food chains and scavengers in particular, read on. While animals such as lions and tigers are mostly terrifying because of their extreme power and ability to crush anyone, there are some animals that actually feed on other animals that have already been killed! Scavengers are members of the food chain that eat dead animals and their carcasses in order to acquire nutrition and fuel. It is very interesting to learn which members of the food chain eat plants and which eat other animals!

Animals that are scavengers