Detritivore
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Earth-worm_1.jpg
Earth-worm_1.jpg
An earthworm
Detritivores (also detrivores or detritus feeders) are organisms that recycle detritus (decomposing organic material), returning it into the food chain. Earthworms are a well-known example of detritus feeders, eating rotting plant leaves and other debris. Some detritus feeders, such as dung beetles, eat feces, which often contains a considerable nutrient load. The detritus may already have been partially or fully decomposed by decomposers.