All articles tagged with #scavengers
The decline of vultures due to toxic painkillers has led to increased carcass decomposition time, proliferation of disease-carrying bacteria, and a rise in feral dogs, highlighting the crucial role of scavengers in maintaining human health and ecosystem stability.
During graduation season at Duke University, local scavengers like Lena Geller collect expensive items discarded by students, valuing their finds at around $6,600, highlighting issues of waste and resourcefulness.
Researchers conducted an experiment by dropping dead alligators into the deep sea to observe scavenger behavior. They were surprised to find large isopods feasting on the carcasses, and a new species of bone-eating worm, previously unseen in the Gulf of Mexico, consuming the remains. One alligator disappeared, likely taken by a large scavenger, possibly a shark. The experiment provided valuable insights into deep-sea scavenger behavior and the presence of unique marine species.
Tasmanian devils may be mostly eating foods inadvertently provided by humans, which can change their behavior and put them in harm's way. A study found that devil populations in highly disturbed landscapes fed on just one type of food, while those in old-growth rainforest habitats had a diverse diet. The presence of roadkill poses risks to devils, and a more diverse diet could reduce their risk of transmitting or catching the aggressive facial tumor disease that has caused their population to fall by 68%. Conserving wild landscapes is vital to protecting Tasmanian devils.