cecotrophy
Eating own droppings
Cecotrophy is the practice of eating cecotropes—soft, nutrient-rich fecal pellets produced in the cecum and consumed directly from the anus.
Rabbits and some other lagomorphs do this to extract additional nutrients, particularly B vitamins, that weren't absorbed during the first pass through the digestive tract.
Distinguished from coprophagy, the broader term for feces-eating.
Microbial digestion in posterior tract
- reingestionSwallowing something again
- nutrient absorptionBody taking in nourishment
- B vitaminsNumbered nutrient group
- fermentationMicrobial sugar conversion
amino acids · folic acid · biotin · vitamin K · intestinal flora
Long-eared lagomorph
- hareLarge wild lagomorph
- pikaShort-eared mountain lagomorph
- bunnyInformal term for rabbit
- wild rabbitUndomesticated lagomorph
Actions done without learning
- grooming behaviorPersonal hygiene activities
- self-feedingReplenishing without outside help
- circadian rhythmBuilt-in sleep-wake cycle
- behavioral healthCare for mind and actions
hindgut fermentation
Microbial digestion in posterior tract
- reingestionSwallowing something again
- nutrient absorptionBody taking in nourishment
- B vitaminsNumbered nutrient group
fermentation · amino acids · folic acid · biotin · vitamin K · intestinal flora
rabbit
Long-eared lagomorph
wild rabbit · cottontail · domestic rabbit · rabbit pellets · warren
instinctive behavior
Actions done without learning
- grooming behaviorPersonal hygiene activities
- self-feedingReplenishing without outside help
- circadian rhythmBuilt-in sleep-wake cycle
behavioral health · natural instinct · feeding pattern · health monitoring