Information AboutScavenger |
| CATEGORIES ABOUT SCAVENGER | |
| eating behaviors | |
| ecology | |
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eating the tail of a Five-lined Skink ]] The word scavenger, in Zoology , refers to animals that consume already dead organic life-forms. Scavengers are useful to the ecosystem by feeding on and therefore breaking down dead animal and plant remains. The remains that are left behind by the scavengers are then used even further by Decomposer s. Well known scavengers include Vulture s, Burying Beetle s, Blowflies , and Raccoon s. Many large carnivores that hunt regularly--such as Hyena s and Lion s--will scavenge if given the chance. A ''person'' who scavenges for junk, food, materials, or other items is also referred to as a scavenger. Scavenger is also what the British refer to one who is employed to remove dirt and refuse from the streets. ETYMOLOGY Scavenger is an alteration of ''scavager,'' from Middle English ''skawager'' meaning "customs collector," from ''skawage'' meaning "customs," from Old North French ''escauwage'' meaning "inspection," from ''escauwer'' meaning "to inspect," of Germanic origin; akin to Old English ''scEawian'' meaning "to look at." The word scavenger when being used to refer to human beings has negative connotations, conjuring up images of low-class or poor people who collect junk because they can't afford the proper materials they need. However, when used in a Biological or zoological context for an animal's role in the environment, the word obviously does not carry such connotations. SEE ALSO
REFERENCES Merriam-Webster's Dictionary |
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