Scavengers play an important role in the ecosystem by consuming dead animal and plant material. Decomposers and detritivores complete this process, by consuming the remains left by scavengers. Scavengers aid in overcoming fluctuations of food resources in the environment.

Scavengers play an important role the food web. They keep an ecosystem free of the bodies of dead animals, or carrion. Scavengers break down this organic material and recycle it into the ecosystem as nutrient s. Some birds are scavengers.

Scavengers, including coyotes, crows and ravens, vultures and many other species of animal, play a major role in maintaining a healthy habitat. Dead animals are a health hazard to living animals, as they can spread disease -- but scavengers quickly break down the dead biomass, and everyone in the ecosystem benefits.