Expert: Walter Hintz - 4/13/2010

Question
Hello,

I am writing a fictional children's story that heavily incorporates nature.  The kids are on a field trip learning about bugs, and specifically the roll bugs play in decaying animals.  I was hoping you could tell me the process that a deer that was hit by a car and dies in the forest will go through as it decays.  Thank you in advance for your reply.

Answer
The decay of a dead animal starts as soon as the cells die. Bacteria and insects bring about the process by digesting the tissues. Flies are usually the first one to begin the process by laying eggs on the corpse.  The eggs hatch within hours and the maggots feed upon the body.  Bacteria reproduce rapidly and continue the process. Beetles called carrion beetles also help.  In a forest smaller mammals may feed on the deer and possibly carrion eating birds like vultures and crows do their share.  The fact is that if we did not have this process then the dead animals would never decay and corpses would just pile up.