scavengers (zoology)

"A basic exploration of the appearance, behavior, and habitat of vultures, the carrion-eating birds of prey. Also included is a story from folklore explaining why vultures are bald"--Provided by publisher.

Fascinating insects, yellow jackets are aggressive wasps that like to eat rotting fruits and meat. Many people fear yellow jackets for their reputation as quick to sting. Yet they are just trying to protect themselves and their nests. Inside the nest are larvae that they care for and feed and which, in turn, provide adult yellow jackets with food for part of their lives. Once the larvae grow up, the food source disappears and so yellow jackets head out looking for sweet juices found in rotting fruit and soda cans. Readers will learn a lot more about yellow jackets and what else they eat when they are not scavenging.

Coyotes are one of the most successful animals in North America. They can live almost anywhere and eat almost anything. This adaptability allows them to survive, despite encroaching human development or environmental and climatic changes. Opportunistic and omnivorous, coyotes will eat berries, bugs, snails, small mammals, and are more than happy to dig into another animal s rotting remains. Readers will learn about the many ways coyotes hunt as well as the ways they communicate. Coyotes are not only a vital part of their ecosystem, but they are fascinating members of the scavenger family.

An introduction to ravens, discussing how they live, mate, and reproduce, as well as their adaptability, intelligence, and willingness to eat anything.

Explains about raccoons, where they live, what they eat, and more.

Introduces opossums, describing their physical features, habitats, life cycle, and scavenger behavior.

Introduces the physical characteristics and habits of various scavenger insects, birds, and other animals that clean up waste materials in their environment.

Describes the characteristics and habits of various insects, birds, and other animals that clean up waste materials in the environment and thus ensure that life as we know it continues on the earth.