Animals That Eat Dead Animals
Vultures Vultures are the most-recognizable scavenger animals in the world. They are one of the few animals that feed exclusively on carrion (decaying flesh of dead animals). They have many interesting biological adaptations that make it safe for them to eat decaying flesh.
Striped Hyenas The striped hyenas are small hyenas with a dog-like appearance. They have long, black, pointed ears, which gives them excellent hearing skills. Their brownish-gray fur with black stripes is the perfect camouflage allowing them to blend in with the tall grass. However, they only do a little hunting themselves, preferring to scavenge for remains.
Ravens These birds have a diverse diet that is not limited to carrion. However, they’re definitely drawn to dead meat and are often found feeding on it. Ravens are scavenger animals often seen in the company of vultures, magpies, and eagles. Although they feed on dead animals, ravens can also hunt small animals like rats, lizards, snakes, and even insects for food.
Jackals Jackals are members of the dog family found in Africa and Asia. They’re very closely related to coyotes. Like coyotes, jackals are medium-sized canines that live in packs. The main difference between both animals is their size; coyotes are much bigger.
Crabs Like vultures on land, crabs are the cleanup team of the sea. Crab feeding habits tend to vary from one species to the other. However, most are bottom feeders living in underwater grasses on the ocean floor. This provides a good hiding spot from predators. Also, since food particles eventually settle on the ocean floor, it’s the perfect place for crabs to live and scavenge for food.
Bears Bears are large land mammals found across various habitats in Europe, North America, Asia, and Africa. There are eight types of bears, and feeding habits tend to vary from one species to the other. Most bears are omnivores meaning they feed on both plant and animal matter. Their feeding habit also depends on the availability of food in their locations.
Eagles Eagles are known to be voracious apex predators that hunt for themselves. However, they can also feast on carcasses, just like the vulture. Their keen eyesight, strong talons, and massive wings give them an intimidating appearance. Because of this, they can easily send other animals away from their kill so they can feed on the carcass.
Sharks There are about 500 species of sharks. Their size varies from dwarf lantern shark, about 0.39 inches long, to the whale shark, which can grow up to 60 feet long. Although sharks are mostly apex predators that actively hunt fish, seals, octopuses, and other marine animals, they don’t always have to eat live prey.
Lobsters Like their cousins — the crabs — lobsters also clean up the ocean by feasting on detritus. Lobsters have no boundaries when it comes to food. They feed on anything they can find in the water, living or dead.
Millipedes Millipedes are arthropods. They’re known for their long slender bodies with lots of small, tiny legs (nicknamed thousand-leggers). They shed their skin severally as they grow, and after each molting stage, they eat their cast-off skins. This is just one of many scavenging habits exhibited by this critter.