Animals Decaying

Most recent answer: 10/22/2007

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)