What does coprophagy refer to?

Prepare for the NAVTA exam with our interactive quizzes. Use flashcards and multiple-choice questions to study. Hints and explanations included to ensure you ace your test.

Coprophagy refers specifically to the behavior of animals consuming feces. This practice is observed in various species and can serve several purposes, such as nutrient absorption or behavioral adaptation. For instance, some herbivorous animals, like rabbits, eat their feces in order to digest certain nutrients more effectively the second time around. The consumption of feces helps ensure that these animals maximize their nutritional intake from a diet that may be low in essential nutrients.

In contrast, the other options describe different feeding behaviors that do not pertain to coprophagy. For example, animals eating plants describes herbivory, while animals eating insects is indicative of insectivory. Similarly, animals that consume grains are engaging in a different feeding strategy that is distinct from the act of consuming feces.

Subscribe

Get the latest from Examzify

You can unsubscribe at any time. Read our privacy policy