Question

Give reason why herbivorous animals have longer, small intestine than carnivorous animals?

Answer 1

Herbivorous animals have longer small intestines than carnivorous animals due to their dietary habits and digestive processes.

1. Herbivorous Diet: 
   1. Herbivores devour plant material rich in complex carbohydrates like cellulose.
   2. Extensive digestion is necessary to break down plant cell walls and extract nutrients.
2. Carnivorous Diet:
   1. Carnivores digest animal tissues more easily than plant cell walls due to their higher protein and fat content.
   2. Carnivores have a shorter small intestine than herbivores due to the faster digestion of animal tissues. This is because their diet does not require the breakdown of complex plant elements over a long period.
3. Digestive Efficiency:
   1. Microbial fermentation in the cecum and colon helps herbivores digest cellulose and other plant components. Smaller intestines allow for more efficient digestion of plant-based diets through microbial activities.
   2. Carnivores use stomach and pancreatic enzymes to digest animal proteins and lipids, which are more efficient in shorter, tiny intestines.