Why are hyenas and vultures considered carnivores and not decomposers?

Answer 1

Hyenas and vultures are considered carnivores because they primarily feed on the flesh of other animals, actively hunting or scavenging for their meals. While they do consume dead animals, which contributes to nutrient cycling, they do not break down organic material in the same way true decomposers, like bacteria and fungi, do. Decomposers play a crucial role in breaking down dead matter into simpler substances, enriching the soil, whereas carnivores like hyenas and vultures are more focused on obtaining energy from live or recently deceased prey. Thus, their feeding behavior categorizes them as carnivores rather than decomposers.