Animal Decomposition is the process of an animal’s body degrading (breaking down) into organic matter after death.
There are two types of decomposition: abiotic and biotic.
Abiotic decomposition is degradation by chemicalal or physical processes.
Biotic decomposition is degradation by living organisms (insects, such as ants, beetles and flies, or by bacteria, or fungi).
The Blowfly (Chrysomya) is a prime decomposer of animal bodies.
Scavengers (hyena, vultures, wolves, foxes, rats etc.) also have a role in animal decomposition.
There are 5 stages to decomposition of small to large animals: (1) fresh, (2) bloat (accumulation of gases in the body), (3) active decay, (4) advanced decay, and (5) dry remains.
The African Python photographed is in the active decay stage with the mass feeding of blowflies.
The Blowfly (Chrysomya) is an insect belonging to the Calliphoridae family.
The Blowfly adult is metallic (iridescent) blue-green with thick hairs (setae) on its body, and large red compound eyes.
The Blowfly grows to about 1 centimetre (between a quarter of an inch and half an inch) long.
Different species of the Blowfly can be found all over the world.
It feeds on decaying matter, manure, and nectar from flowers.
The female Blowfly lays 50-200 eggs on mammals, usually dead animals, such as decomposing carcasses.
The Blowfly lifespan is short – about 6 weeks. It has four stages of life: egg, larva, pupa, and adult fly.
It starts as an egg, which hatch after 8 hours to become larvae. Larvae are small creamy-white maggots. The maggots feed and undergo metamorphosis for about 14 days, changing into pupae. After 12 days, the pupae become adult flies.
Photographer: Martina Nicolls
Martina Nicolls: SIMILAR BUT DIFFERENT IN THE ANIMAL KINGDOM