postmortem animal predation


postmortem animal predation

The consumption of flesh and deeper tissues of a body after death by insects, birds or other predatory animals. Typically seen in bodies found outdoors, family pets are also known to consume the bodies of owners when trapped in the house wherein their owners died. The bite marks and defects may be confused for criminal antemortem trauma, but lack haemorrhage and marginal erythema, and often demonstrate tooth crenations that point to animals.
Common postmortem animal predators
Ants, bluebottle beetles, cats, dogs, crows, foxes, monitor lizards and rodents; various marine life will also consume bodies postmortem, ranging from small animals (e.g., Saduria entomon, a crustacean) to sharks and other large fish.