Cecotrope

Cecotropes, originally spelled "caecotrophes", and also called "night faeces", are the product of the cecum, a part of the digestive system in lagomorphs and a few species of rodent. Cecotropes are passed through the intestines and subsequently eaten for added nutrients in a process known as caecotrophy or pseudorumination, similar to a chewing of cud in cattle. In anatomy of the digestive system, the cecum or caecum is a pouch connected to the large intestine between the ileum. ... Families Leporidae Ochotonidae The Lagomorphs, order Lagomorpha, are an order of mammals of which there are two families, Leporidae (hares and rabbits), and Ochotonidae (pikas). ... Families See Classification Section The order Rodentia is the most numerous of the branches on the mammal family tree. ...

Production

The process by which cecotropes are produced is called "hindgut fermentation". Food passes through the esophagus, stomach, small intestine, where nutrients are absorbed, and then into the colon. Through reverse peristalsis, the food is forced back into the cecum where it is broken down into simple sugars by bacterial fermentation. The cecotrope then passes through the colon, the anus, and is consumed by the animal. The process occurs 4 to 8 hours after eating. The esophagus (also spelled oesophagus/Å“sophagus), or gullet is the muscular tube in vertebrates through which ingested food passes from the mouth area to the stomach. ... Colon has several meanings: colon (anatomy) colon (punctuation) colon (rhetoric) See also Colón This is a disambiguation page — a navigational aid which lists other pages that might otherwise share the same title. ...