Changes

{{toplink

{{OpenPagesTop}}

}}

==Introduction==

==Introduction==

Elephant anatomy is very much comparable to the [[Hindgut Fermenters - Horse - Anatomy & Physiology|horse]] and [[Hindgut Fermenters - Rabbit - Anatomy & Physiology|rabbit]]. Microbes are present in the hindgut that produce [[Volatile Fatty Acids - Anatomy & Physioogy|Volatile Fatty Acids (VFAs)]]. VFAs make a substantial contribution to the elephant's total energy requirements. Food has a relatively fast transit time and as a result elephants have a low digestive efficiency (44% as opposed to 60% in [[Hindgut Fermenters - Horse - Anatomy & Physiology|horses]]). A fast transit time is achieved by a short GIT, reduced [[Caecum - Anatomy & Physiology|caecum]] and increased GIT diameter. Their digestive strategy is to pass as large a quantity of low quality food through their digestive tract within a short period of time.

 

Elephant anatomy is very much comparable to the [[Alimentary System  - Horse Anatomy|horse]] and [[Rabbit Alimentary System|rabbit]]. Microbes are present in the hindgut that produce [[Volatile Fatty Acids|Volatile Fatty Acids (VFAs)]]. VFAs make a substantial contribution to the elephant's total energy requirements. Food has a relatively fast transit time and as a result,  elephants have a low digestive efficiency (44% as opposed to 60% in [[Alimentary System  - Horse Anatomy|horses]]). A fast transit time is achieved by a short GIT, reduced [[Caecum - Anatomy & Physiology|caecum]] and increased GIT diameter. Their digestive strategy is to pass as large a quantity of low quality food through their digestive tract within a short period of time.

==Features==

==Features==

*Natural diet is high in fibre (36%) and low in protein (7-10%)

 

*Juvenile elephants require 3 kg of feed per 100kg of body weight per day

An elephant's natural diet is high in fibre (36%) and low in protein (7-10%). Juvenile elephants require 3 kg of feed per 100kg of body weight per day. The passage time of food through the gastrointestinal tract ranges from 18 to 24 hours. They have no [[Gall Bladder - Anatomy & Physiology|gall bladder]] and their taenia and sacculations are not as clearly defined as in the horse.

*The passage time of food through the gastrointestinal tract ranges from 18 to 24 hours.

 

*No [[Gall Bladder - Anatomy & Physiology|gall bladder]]

*Taenia and sacculations are not as clearly defined as in the horse