Why herbivores have longer small intestine

Herbivores need a longer small intestine to allow cellulose to be digested as taken from green plants. Herbivoresneed a longer small intestine to allow cellulose to be digested as taken from green plants. Sign Up. Have an account? Sign In Now. Sign In. Remember Me! Don't have account, Sign Up Here. Forgot Password. Sorry, you do not have a permission to ask a question, You must login to ask question. Ask A Question. Abul Koderma, India. View Profile. Why do herbivores have longer, small intestine than carnivores?

You must have JavaScript enabled in your browser to utilize the functionality of this website. Herbivores eat plants, and their digestive system has adapted to absorb nutrients from plant material. Grinding Teeth; Herbivores have square, flat molars designed to crush and grind plant material with a sideways motion.

Long Digestive Tracts; Plant material is difficult to digest, particularly plant cellulose. The herbivores intestines are up to 10 times longer than their body length, giving the digestive system time to breakdown and absorb correctly. Digestive Enzymes; Amylase is contained within the saliva of the herbivore combined with the chewing action help to break down the coarse fibre and carbohydrates that makes up plant material. Omnivores have evolved to eat both plants and meats hence have adapted their digestive systems.

Tearing and Grinding Teeth; Omnivores have sharp canine teeth at the front of the mouth to cater for meat, and flat molars to allow a grinding action for plant material. Medium Digestive Tracts; Capable of digesting meat based proteins and fats, but still long enough to cater for vegetable matter.