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→Coprophagia
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==Coprophagia==
==Coprophagia==
*Rabbits eat some of their faecal pellets, called '''caecotropes''', directly from the anus.
*Rabbits eat some of their faecal pellets, called '''caecotropes''', directly from the anus.
−*Caecotropes 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, smaller and contain large amounts of bacteria and microbes.
*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.
*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.
**Therefore some amino acids (lysine and methionine) are added to commercial rabbit food.
+***This behaviour is also seen in rodents.
==Calcium Metabolism==
==Calcium Metabolism==