Tag

Scavengers

All articles tagged with #scavengers

science-and-nature1 month ago•1 min saved

Kangaroo Carcass Study Reveals Seasonal Shifts in Apex Scavenger Feeding Preferences

Researchers from the University of Sydney and the University of Glasgow placed 40 eastern grey kangaroo carcasses in Wolgan Valley, New South Wales, to study scavenger behavior. Using camera traps over 30 days, they observed that apex scavengers like dingoes and wedge-tailed eagles exhibit selective feeding habits, targeting specific body parts for non-protein energy. The study, published in Royal Society Open Science, found that these preferences shift with seasons and decomposition stages, a first for carnivores, while smaller mesoscavengers like red foxes showed less variation.

via BBC Wildlife Magazine|

#australia #ecology #research

science2 months ago•4 min saved

Deep-Sea Afterlife: A Whale’s Death Sparks a Hidden Ocean Oasis

When a whale dies at sea, it often sinks to the deep ocean to become a whale fall, feeding a cascade of scavengers, microbes, and a chemosynthetic ecosystem around its bones that can support marine life for years to decades.

via WorldAtlas|

#boneeatingworms #deepsea #scavengers

science7 months ago•13 min saved

Whale Falls Spark Hidden Deep-Sea Ecosystems

When a whale carcass sinks to the deep ocean, it becomes a long-lasting, multi-stage feast: initial scavengers strip flesh, bone‑eating worms (Osedax) and bone‑eating snot‑flowers bore into bone, and later sulphur‑loving chemoautotrophs sustain a thriving community for decades, turning a single whale into a whole new ecosystem and aiding the dispersal of specialized deep‑sea life.

via BBC|

#chemosynthesis #deep-sea #osedax

environment1 year ago•4 min saved

Appreciating Vultures: Nature's Clean-Up Crew

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.

via NPR|

#disease-control #ecosystem-health #environment

local-news1 year ago•1 min saved

Graduates Discard Luxury Items, Scavengers Rejoice

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.

via The New York Times|

#college-graduation #duke-university #local-news

science2 years ago•2 min saved

"Unprecedented Worm Species Consumes Alligator in Astonishing Study"

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.

via indy100|

#alligator #deep-sea #marine-biology

environment3 years ago•4 min saved

Unlocking the Protective Potential of Tasmanian Devil Whiskers.

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.

via Phys.org|

#conservation #diet-analysis #environment