I have decided to investigate the similarites of the 2 types of herbivores, ruminant and non-ruminant as to make a comparsion between omnivores and carnivores.
Besides the fact that they are animals that eat plants, they too have some similarities. Many herbivores do not have upper inciso
rs (the teeth on the top jaw in the very front that cut food), cutting the plants with their lips instead. The lower jaw has incisors, but the upper jaw lacks them. A developed, bony plate in the front of the upper jaw functions with the lower incisors in securing stems and hay. However, all herbivores need their molars (the big flat teeth at the back of the mouth) since they must chew and re-chew the tough plant materials that they eat. A herbivore's molars are big and ridged for better grinding. Herbivore skulls have spaces for big muscles to be attached to move their jaws for so much chewing.Furthermore, herbivores need to have a particular bacteria inside their bodies to help break down the tough plants they eat so that they release nutrients. To give the micro- organisms access to the cellulose molecules, the plant cell walls need to be broken down. This process is called fermentation.
Also, herbivores have to eat large quantities of food to obtain all they require as plants are not a good source of nutrients and hence, herbivores like cows, horses and rabbits typically spend much of their day feeding.
Ok, everyone! I have finished the topics on herbivores and next week, i will be discovering the digestive system of carnivores....
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