Digestive System

 Non-ruminants are referred to as single-stomached or monogastric animals  The digestive system of rabbits and birds are classified as non-ruminants even though their system is slightly different MONOGASTRIC SYSTEM

● Similar to a horse ○ Large cecum - “blind pouch” w/bacterial digestion ○ Reason rabbits can eat more high-quality roughage material than other small animals ● Rabbits must maintain levels of bacteria in the cecum for digestive process and health ● Rabbits eat undigested feces (coprophagy) to help bacterial action Rabbit Digestion

● Unique system for breaking down the seed and food they eat. ● Birds do not have teeth ○ Saliva is added to assist with swallowing, but very little breakdown of food occurs in the mouth. ● Largest digestive organ for birds is the gizzard. ○ Grinds and crushes food before passing it into the small intestine. Avian (Bird) Digestion

● Type of feed fish eat is largely determined by the type of teeth they have. ● Some fish swallow prey whole while others chew up their food. Fish Digestion

1. Food is broken down in the mouth (except birds) 2. Then, food moves to stomach (gizzard in birds) 3. Next, it is passed into the small intestine ○ Primary site for digestion/absorption of nutrients 4. Food passes from the small intestine into large intestine ○ Site of water absorption 5. Mucus is added to waste to aid in passage to exit of body (anus) Digestive Process