Necrophage

Necrophage

 

(1) A phagocyte that absorbs the remains of continually atrophying and self-regenerating tissues in the body.

(2) Any carrion-eating animal. Among insects, a number of species of beetles and flies are necrophages; among birds, some vultures and the storks of the genus Leptoptilus; and among mammals, hyenas, aardwolves, and the golden jackal.