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The digestive physiology of three East African herbivores: the elephant, rhinoceros and hippopotamus
Author(s) -
Clemens E. T.,
Maloiy G. M. O.
Publication year - 1982
Publication title -
journal of zoology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.915
H-Index - 96
eISSN - 1469-7998
pISSN - 0952-8369
DOI - 10.1111/j.1469-7998.1982.tb02066.x
Subject(s) - hippopotamus , biology , rhinoceros , herbivore , african elephant , zoology , ecology
Studies were conducted to compare structural and physiological differences in the digestive functions of three species of large ungulates; the elephant ( Loxodonta africana ), the Black rhinoceros ( Diceros bicornis ) and the Hippopotamus ( Hippopotamus amphibius ). Major differences were noted in the composition of ingesta and the sites of bacterial fermentative activity. Comparisons are also made as to the influence of feeding behaviour on digestive functions, and as to the similarities of their digestive systems to that of domestic animals.