scavenger

Everyday

1. An animal that feeds on dead animals or scraps that other creatures have left, such as a vulture, hyena or crab. tree →
2. A person who searches through rubbish for things to use or sell. tree →
3. A scavenger hunt is a game in which you search for a list of things. tree →

In the lessons

In science lessons scavengers are part of food chains and help clean up nature by eating dead bodies. In everyday life children play scavenger hunts at parties and on school trips. Phrases: scavenger hunt, nature's clean-up crew.

Examples

• Vultures are scavengers that eat dead animals. tree →
• Hyenas are hunters and scavengers. tree →
• Seagulls are scavengers that steal chips. tree →
• We had a scavenger hunt in the park for leaves, pine cones and feathers. tree →
• Crabs are scavengers on the sea floor. tree →
• Scavengers help recycle nutrients back into the soil. tree →

Note

Countable. Verb: scavenge (scavenged, scavenging). Myth: hyenas do not only scavenge; they hunt most of their food.