carrion

Carrion is the decaying flesh of dead animals. It serves as a concentrated source of nutrients and energy for a diverse community of scavengers and decomposers, contributing to nutrient cycling and energy transfer in ecosystems. Many creatures rely on carrion at least occasionally, including vultures, ravens, other birds, and a range of insects, mammals, and fungi.

Decomposition begins soon after death as microorganisms initiate tissue breakdown. Gas production can cause bloating and strong odors that attract scavengers. A characteristic sequence of organisms colonizes carrion: initial colonizers such as blowflies (Diptera) lay eggs that develop into maggots; these are followed by beetles, mites, and other insects. As decay progresses, remaining tissues are consumed by additional species, and fungi and bacteria continue to break down the material. The exact pattern of succession varies with factors such as climate, carcass size, and habitat.

In forensic science, the predictable succession of insects on carrion is used to estimate postmortem intervals and other details of investigations. Ecologically, carrion supports high local biodiversity and helps regulate disease risk by enabling rapid removal of animal remains, particularly in ecosystems with active vertebrate scavengers.

Conditions such as temperature, moisture, and scavenger availability strongly influence the rate of decomposition and the composition of the carrion-feeding community.