Scavenger

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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 decomposers.

Well known scavengers include vultures, burying beetles, blowflies, and raccoons. Many large carnivores that hunt regularly--such as hyenas and lions--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.

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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.

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