Carrion is a valuable nutrient resource in the environment that is used by a diversity of organisms encompassing all biological kingdoms. Due to the low cost of energy derived from carrion, most vertebrate species are facultative scavengers, and thus provide a critical ecosystem service for humans and other organisms by removing decaying animal matter from the environment. In fact, a surprising array of animals will forage on carrion, including eagles, white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus), and many species of snakes and lizards. However, despite the importance of scavenging for ecosystem health, many knowledge gaps still exist regarding the diversity and function of scavenger communities. In addition, while it is accepted that carcass size and location can influence the diversity and composition of scavenging communities, there is little research to support this assertion. In particular, scavenging research in human-disturbed landscapes is lacking as most studies have been conducted in relatively pristine environments with intact scavenger communities. Thus, there is a critical need to study scavengers in ecosystems that have been dramatically altered by anthropogenic land use.