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==Introduction==
==Introduction==
−Rabbits are monogastric hindgut fermenters that eat a herbivorous diet. [[Volatile Fatty Acids - Anatomy & Physioogy|VFAs]] are produced in the hindgut which are available to the animal for energy.
+Rabbits are monogastric hindgut fermenters that eat a herbivorous diet. Microbes in the hindgut produce [[Volatile Fatty Acids - Anatomy & Physioogy|VFAs]] which are available to the animal for energy. Microbes also produce vitamins and protein, which are available only in minimal quantities as they are produced in the hindgut.
==[[Forestomach - Anatomy & Physiology|Stomach]]==
==[[Forestomach - Anatomy & Physiology|Stomach]]==
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===Caecum===
===Caecum===
−*Large, about twice the length of the abdominal cavity. Folded into four parts that flex upon each other.
+*Large, about twice the length of the abdominal cavity and 10 times the capacity of the stomach, 40% of the entire alimentary tract.
+*Folded into four parts that flex upon each other.
*Thin-walled.
*Thin-walled.
*Visible on the external surface is a spiral constriction that runs 20-30 times around the caecum. This is related to the folding of the mucosa internally.
*Visible on the external surface is a spiral constriction that runs 20-30 times around the caecum. This is related to the folding of the mucosa internally.
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==Coprophagia==
==Coprophagia==
−*Rabbits eat some of their faecal pellets, often produced in the early morning.
+*Rabbits eat some of their faecal pellets, called '''caecotropes''', directly from the anus.
−*Pellets that are eaten differ to normal pellets as they are softer, covered in mucus and smaller.
+*Caecotropes differ to normal pellets as they are softer, covered in mucus and smaller.
*The purpose of this may be to gain access to the vitamins produced by bacteria in the caecum.
*The purpose of this may be to gain access to the vitamins produced by bacteria in the caecum.
+*Some microbial protein may also be available, but is thought to contribute little the animal's requirement, as most is digested in the colon.
+**Therefore some amino acids (lysine and methionine) are added to commercial rabbit food.
+
+==Calcium Metabolism==
+*Rabbits have a unique calcium metabolism.
+*Calcium is absorbed across the intestinal wall in the absence of vitamin D, which other mammals require for calcium absorption.
+*Less regulated calcium absorption results in calcium being excreted in the urine.
+*Parathyroid hormone and calcitonin regulate blood levels.
+**Kidney stones and calcification of soft tissue may occur if a high calcium diet is fed to rabbits for a prolonged period of time.