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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.

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.

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

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

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

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

==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. 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.

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.

==Calcium Metabolism==

==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 [[Calcium#Calcitonin|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.

Rabbits have 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 [[Calcium#Calcitonin|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.

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