Topics:
Animal Nutrition, Animal Refresher
Alternative Terms for Caecotrophy
Caecotrophy is also known as:
- Pseudo rumination
- Coprophagy
- Refection
- All the above — Correct Answer
Explanation:
Correct Answer: All the above (Pseudo rumination, Coprophagy, Refection)
The specialized hindgut digestive behavior of rabbits is known by all these terms: Caecotrophy (eating cecal pellets), technically a form of Coprophagy (eating faeces), historically called Refection, and functionally compared to Pseudo-rumination (a 'second digestion' of fermented feed).
Caecotrophy — All Terms Explained
| Term | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Caecotrophy | Eating of cecal pellets (soft night faeces) |
| Coprophagy | Eating of own faeces (broader term) |
| Refection | Historical term for the same behavior |
| Pseudo-rumination | Analogous to rumination — 'second digestion' of fermented material |
Nutritional Benefit
- Recycles unabsorbed nutrients (fermented hindgut products pass SI absorption site)
- Returns microbial protein (high BV)
- Captures B-complex vitamins and Vitamin K synthesised by hindgut microbes
📚 About this Topic — Animal Nutrition
This multiple choice question is from Animal Nutrition, Animal Refresher. It has 4 options with a detailed explanation of the correct answer. Practice more MCQs from Animal Nutrition to strengthen your preparation.
