Why don't saprophytes digest living creatures?

Facts about Saprophytes. Saprophytes are living organisms that obtain nutrients from dead organic matter and act as decomposers competing with the heavy rainfall that constantly washes away nutrients on the forests floor. read more

Look at the definition of saprophtye - they are, by definition organisms that digest dead and decaying organic matter. If they had a go at living matter they wouldn't be saprophytes. read more

But when a tree falls in the rainforest, the saprophytes take over. Fungal hyphe grow through the wood, reducing it to its basic compenents, even the difficult to digest lignins. Once in the soil, new trees can take up the nutrients and turn them back into living tissues and the cycle of life can continue. Fungi are important in all ecosystems. read more