The researchers were studying how different seasons affect scavenging activity in southeast Australia when they stumbled upon possums that were unexpectedly feasting.
With the owl “scavenger” we first imagine vultures, hyenas or Tasmanian devils. However, it is unlikely that our imagination will draw miniature opossums with bunch-tails. And apparently to no avail, Science Alert writes.
In their new work, Australian scientists focused on examining how the seasons affect scavenger activity in Kosciuszko National Park, southeast of New South Wales, in the Australian Alps.
in 24News Breaker. Technology emerged telegraph channel. Subscribe so you don’t miss the latest and exciting news from the world of science!
Keep in mind that no single animal in Australia can survive simply by collecting litter, but instead the remains of other animals can become a temporary “delicacy”. However, whatever the scientists had hoped for during the study, they hardly expected to see Australian marsupials on installed cameras, which turned out to be one of the most common scavengers caught in camera traps.
It is important to understand that scavengers play an important role as ecosystem cleaners, essentially clearing land of corpses. But that’s not all. According to Australian scientists, he and his colleagues found that “garbage collection” is seasonal for those who attend “banquets” throughout the year, and that these seasonal trends are due to local opossums and crows. The researchers found that they are the most common scavengers in Australia, with opossums “feasting” in winter and crows in spring.
opossum hunting
From March 2020 to March 2021, scientists tracked the scavengers in different seasons. To do this, they housed 15 fresh oriental gray kangaroo carcasses from local waste each season – a total of 60 carcasses were required for the researchers.
The scientists placed a remote camera on each of them and watched the remains for 60 days. In total, the researchers managed to capture more than 745,000 scavenger photos:
- spotted-tailed quolls;
- wild cats;
- dingo;
- motley currants;
- wedge-tailed eagles;
- hair-tailed opossums;
- crows;
- red foxes;
- wild pigs.
But the most curious thing was that 88% of all these scavengers were opossums and crows.
Differences in seasons
Researchers believed that the time it took to find a kangaroo carcass depended on its scent. However, this theory has not been confirmed.
Scientists have discovered that it takes longer for scavengers to find carcasses in the summer. At the same time, carcass participation peaked in winter. Researchers believe that this may be due to the fact that in summer carcasses live literally a few minutes after death in the carcass. Scientists suggest that these tiny creatures can accelerate decomposition so much that vertebrate scavengers simply don’t have enough time.
In addition, the researchers believe that carcass consumption rates are lower during the summer months due to the abundance of other food sources at that time of year.
Families are fed
Researchers speculate that scavengers’ breeding seasons may affect scavengers’ speed and behavior. For example, crows breed from late winter to early spring and prioritize nest building initially – cameras have also captured crows collecting kangaroo fur from carcasses believed to have been used for nest building.
Essentially, crows need more energy during this time and should supplement their diet with higher calorie foods such as carrion. Scientists believe this explains why 67% of cases where carcasses “feast” on carcasses occur in the spring.
Other suspects
The researchers also note that larger species (dingos, wedge-tailed eagles, wild boars) are practically absent from carrion areas. The scientists suggest that low levels of carrion by these animals may also affect the fact that opossums and crows literally “feast” on kangaroos at certain times of the year.
Previously Focus He wrote that the body of an unknown creature washed up in Australia.
Source: Focus
Ashley Fitzgerald is an accomplished journalist in the field of technology. She currently works as a writer at 24 news breaker. With a deep understanding of the latest technology developments, Ashley’s writing provides readers with insightful analysis and unique perspectives on the industry.