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Q:
What causes an animal to decay?
- Nurul (age 12)
singapore
A:
Usually it's bacteria and mold which cause animal carcasses to decay.
Parasites such as worms and maggots speed things along. Scavengers such
as vultures do their jobs too.
What's really fascinating is how an animal keeps all these nasties
at by while it is still alive. The immune system protects against the
bacteria and mold (and viruses), while hygiene and self-defense protect
against the others.
Tom
(published on 10/22/2007)
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