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The rabbit is a monogastric hindgut fermenter and is a herbivore. Microbes in the hindgut produce [[Volatile Fatty Acids|volatile fatty acids (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 (see [[Hindgut Fermenters - Anatomy & Physiology|advantages and disadvantages of hid gut fermentation]]). Most microbial fermentation occurs in the [[Caecum - Anatomy & Physiology|caecum]] (as opposed to the [[Alimentary System  - Horse Anatomy|horse]] where most occurs in the colon). Rabbits usually eat at dusk.

A rabbit's small intestine functions similar to other animals, but there are anatomical differences. The caudal flexure of the [[Duodenum - Anatomy & Physiology|duodenum]] is long and coiled, and may be referred to as the transverse part of the duodenum.

The rabbit is a monogastric hindgut fermenters and is a herbivore. 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. Most microbial fermentation occurs in the [[Caecum - Anatomy & Physiology|caecum]] (as opposed to the [[Hindgut Fermenters - Horse - Anatomy & Physiology|horse]] where most occurs in the colon). Rabbits usually eat at dusk.

The ''sacculus rotundus'' exists at the ileocaecal junction. It is an enlargement of the [[Large Intestine - Anatomy & Physiology|large intestine]] and contains [[Lymphatic System Overview - Anatomy & Physiology|lymphoid tissue]].

==[[Forestomach - Anatomy & Physiology|Stomach]]==

==Large intestine==

Click here for information on the [[Large Intestine Overview - Anatomy & Physiology|large Intestine]].

*The sacculus rotundus exists at the ileocaecal junction. It is an enlargement of the [[Large Intestine - Anatomy & Physiology|large intestine]] and contains [[Lymphoreticular & Haematopoietic System - Anatomy & Physiology|lymphoid tissue]].

==[[Large Intestine - Anatomy & Physiology|Large Intestine]]==

==[[Caecum - Anatomy & Physiology|Caecum]]==

A rabbit's caecum is large, about twice the length of the abdominal cavity and 10 times the capacity of the stomach, 40% of the entire alimentary tract. It is folded into four parts that flex upon each other. It is 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.

*Large, about twice the length of the abdominal cavity and 10 times the capacity of the stomach, 40% of the entire alimentary tract.

There is an [[Appendix - Anatomy & Physiology|appendix]] at its distal end containing [[Lymphatic System Overview - Anatomy & Physiology|lymphoid tissue]].

*Folded into four parts that flex upon each other.

*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.

*There is an [[Appendix - Anatomy & Physiology|appendix]] at it's distal end containing [[Lymphoreticular & Haematopoietic System - Anatomy & Physiology|lymphoid tissue]].

===[[Colon - Anatomy & Physiology|Colon]]===

==[[Colon - Anatomy & Physiology|Colon]]==

*Has ascending, transverse and descending parts.

A rabbit's colon has ascending, transverse and descending parts. The '''ascending colon''' is very long and occupies most of the ventral abdomen. The first part has taenia and haustra, the second part does not and is arranged into coils that lie in the dorsal part of the abdominal cavity. The '''transverse''' and '''descending''' colons have the same anatomical arrangement as in other species.

*The '''ascending colon''' is very long and occupies most of the ventral abdomen.

*First part has taenia and haustra, the second part does not and is arranged into coils that lie in the dorsal part of the abdominal cavity.

*The '''transverse''' and '''descending''' colons have the same anatomical arrangement as in other species.

==Coprophagia==

==Coprophagia==

*Rabbits eat some of their faecal pellets, called '''caecotropes''', directly from the [[Anus - Anatomy & Physiology|anus]].

 

*Caecotropes differ to normal pellets as they are softer, covered in mucus, smaller and contain large amounts of bacteria and microbes.

Rabbits eat some of their faecal pellets, called '''caecotropes''', directly from the [[Anus - Anatomy & Physiology|anus]]. Caecotropes differ from 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 - Anatomy & Physiology|caecum]]. Some microbial protein may also be available, but is thought to contribute little to the animal's requirement, as most is digested in the colon. Therefore, some amino acids (lysine and methionine) are added to commercial rabbit food. This behaviour is also seen in rodents.

*The purpose of this may be to gain access to the vitamins produced by bacteria in the [[Caecum - Anatomy & Physiology|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.

***This behaviour is also seen in rodents.

==Calcium Metabolism==

==Calcium Metabolism==

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[[Category:Alimentary System - Anatomy & Physiology]]

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[[Category:Rabbit Digestion]]

[[Category:Large Intestine - Anatomy & Physiology]]

[[Category:A&P Done]]