Examples of decomposers include bacteria,fungi, some insects, and snails, which means they are not always microscopic.Fungi, such as the Winter Fungus, eat dead tree trunks. Decomposers can break down dead things, but they can also feast on decaying flesh while it's still on a living organism

Decomposers and scavengers break down dead plants and animals. They also break down the waste (poop) of other organisms. Decomposers are very important for any ecosystem. If they weren't in the ecosystem, theplantswould not get essential nutrients, and dead matter and waste would pile up.

There are two kinds of decomposers, scavengers and decomposers.

Scavengersare animals that find dead animals or plants and eat them. While they eat them, they break them into small bits. In this simulation,flies,waspsandcockroachesare scavengers.Earthwormsare also scavengers, but they only break down plants.

Once a scavenger is done, thedecomposerstake over, and finish the job. Many kinds of decomposers are microscopic, meaning that they can't be seen without a microscope. Others, like fungi, can be seen.

Different kinds of decomposers do different jobs in the ecosystem.