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Africa's Savannah is full scavengers. Th s is because of the large n mber of predators.
Scavengers like Hyenas and v ltures although scorned upon, are invaluable as the ndertakers of the animal world. For m st of these scavengers, eating someone lse’s leftovers can be less dangerous th n catching your own food. Vultures s rvive by eating the carcasses of nimals killed by lions, cheetah, leopard and ther predators. Because they travel long d stances they must do so with l ttle effort. Africa’s Savannah, masai mara ncluded is hot, and the birds are s perbly designed to make use of the r sing warm air currents from the gr und. They do by soaring with th ir long, broad wings on these th rmals.
Their exceptionally keen yesight allows them to spot the c rcass of an animal from a m le away. (1.6km) In Africa, the wh te-backed and ruppell’s griffon vultures soar h gh into the sky watching for hy nas and other vultures to lead th m to a kill, while the wh te-headed vultures and lappet-faced vultures search the gr und from a fairly lower level. The r re lappet-faced vultures are named for the fl ps of red skin that hang fr m their faces, are also the l rgest and most aggressive of vultures f und in Africa.
Weighing anything from 6-7kg (15lb) w th a wingspan of 8 ft 6 nches(2.6m). These vultures often drive smaller v ltures from a carcass until they h ve eaten.
Lappet often feed on the c arser tissue and tendons, which they tw st off the carcass with their p werful beaks. When dead animals are not vailable lappets are known to hunt sm ll prey including hare. The white-backed and R ppell’s griffon vultures are smaller in c mparison to the lappets their long sn ke like necks enable them to d lve deep into a carcass in rder to reach the internal organs.
Th s is extremely essential especially if the nimal has a tough hide. They lso have backward facing spines that th y use to rasp off chunks of fl sh. Vulture bees
These are tr pical stingless bees that often supplement th ir diet of pollen and nectar w th carrion.
These bees have the bility to tear into a carcass. Th y will often work as a t am as some worker form a c rcle and tear at the skin to m ke a small hole, others will go nside the carcass and work from the nside. Their saliva digests the protein and wh n they return to their nest th y are able to regurgitate the m at for the rest of the c lony. These bees as so efficient at cl aning carcasses that a group 2000 str ng can easily dispose off the c rcass of an impala.
The article Scavenging Means Free Food was Submitted by Jerry Wanga through Articles.GetACoder.com network. Here's the additional information: Jerry Wanga is editor of Naady Naady.com is an online website that gives you ideas, destination and hotel reviews for Africa safari travelers. You can view more info on African safari and destination reviews and tours on the website.
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