Feeding and Digestion
Filter Feeders Whales and Whale sharks as well as sponges feed by filtration of tiny organism from the water column
Batch Processor
Digestion in the Florida Manatee
Manatee Facts Trichechus manatus Average length 3 meters, weight 1,200 lbs Life span 40 years Related to elephant Only herbivorous marine mammal
Digestion in Manatees No front teeth, rigid pads form “lips” Molars 6-8 in each of 4 rows Teeth constantly replaced Large salivary glands Digestive tract about 120 feet in length
The Digestive Tract Like most herbivores the digestive tract is much longer than carnivores Unique features include a cardiac caeca which secretes HCl Mid gut caeca incubate fermenting microorganisms A very long large intestine is a fermenting chamber
Cellulose Digestion Cellulose Beta Glucans Cellobiose Glucose Acetic Acid Proprionic Acid Butyric Acid
Fermentation Both bacteria and protozoa are active in fermentation The gut passage time of nearly 1 week allows for slow processing Cellulose is the main component of the diet Mixed acid fermentation produces methane, proprionic, butyric and acetic acid
In ruminants, fermentation takes place in several stomachs In ruminants, fermentation takes place in several stomachs. Small organic acids are also produced. Methane is a product in all fermenters.