DETRITIVORE


A dung beetle rolling a ball of dung

'Detritivores' (also known as 'saprophages', 'detrivores' or 'detritus feeders') are animals that consume detritus (decomposing organic material), and in doing so contribute to decomposition and the recycling of nutrients.
Earthworms are a well-known example of detritus feeders, eating rotting plant leaves and other debris. Some detritus feeders, such as dung beetles, eat feces, which often contains a considerable nutrient load. The detritus may already have been partially or fully decomposed by decomposers.
Other groups of detritivorous animals include millipedes, woodlice, dung beetles, dung flies and burying beetles.

Contents
See also
External links

See also



★ scavenger

★ decomposer

★ omnivore

★ carnivore

★ herbivore

External links



★ Detritivores in aquaria

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