Carrion facts for kids

A Wedge-tailed eagle eating a meal.

Carrion is the dead and decaying body of an animal. The word "carrion" comes from the Latin word "caro," which means "meat." It might sound a bit gross, but carrion is a very important part of nature. It provides food for many different animals.

What is Carrion?

Carrion is simply the body of an animal after it has died. It could be an animal that was hunted by a predator. It could also be an animal that died from sickness or an accident.

As soon as an animal dies, its body starts to decay. This means it begins to break down. Tiny living things called bacteria quickly start to grow on the carrion. Insects are also attracted to it.

The Smell of Decay

When carrion decays, it starts to smell very bad. This strong, foul odor comes from chemicals like cadaverine and putrescine. These chemicals are made by the bacteria that are breaking down the animal's body. The smell helps to attract animals and insects that eat carrion.

Who Eats Carrion?

Many animals rely on carrion for food. These animals are called scavengers. Scavengers play a vital role in keeping ecosystems clean. They help to recycle nutrients back into the environment.

Animals That Scavenge

Some well-known scavengers include vultures, hawks, and eagles. On land, animals like hyenas, coyotes, and Tasmanian devils also eat carrion. Even some reptiles, like the Komodo dragon, are scavengers.

Insects and Other Small Creatures

It's not just big animals that eat carrion. Many smaller creatures do too. Carrion beetles are a good example. The tiny young of flies, called maggots, also feed on dead bodies. These insects are very important. They help to break down animal remains even further. This process helps to return important elements like nitrogen and carbon to the soil.

Carrion in Nature

Carrion is a natural part of the food chain. It helps to make sure that nothing goes to waste in nature. Without scavengers, dead animals would pile up. This would make the environment unhealthy.

Plants and Fungi That Mimic Carrion

Some plants and fungi have a clever trick. They smell like decaying carrion! They do this to attract insects. These insects then help the plants and fungi with their reproduction.

For example, some plants are called carrion flowers. They have a smell that tricks flies into visiting them. The flies then carry pollen from one flower to another. Stinkhorn mushrooms are a type of fungus that also smells like carrion. This smell attracts insects that help spread their spores.

Hunters Versus Scavengers

Most predators do not usually eat carrion. Predators are animals that hunt and kill other animals for food. They prefer fresh meat. However, sometimes a predator might eat carrion if it is very hungry. For example, foxes sometimes eat carrion.

See also

In Spanish: Carroña para niños