caecotrophy

caecotrophy

English

Alternative forms

• cecotrophy

Noun

caecotrophy (uncountable)

1. (biology) In certain mammals, especially rabbits and other lagomorphs, the consumption of food pellets which are naturally produced by means of digestion, retention in the caecum, and expulsion through the anus.
   • 2008, A. Belenguer et al., "Alternative methodologies to estimate ingestion of caecotrophes in growing rabbits," Livestock Science, vol. 115, no.1, p. 13,

     The second group (T-2: 6 rabbits) was also fed the labelled diet but only during the last ten days of the fattening period when animals were fitted a neck collar to prevent caecotrophy.

Usage notes

• "Caecotrophy" is a kind of coprophagy. "Caecotrophy" specifically refers to the ingestion of caecal feces for nutritional purposes. "Coprophagy" refers to the ingestion of feces for any reason, including mental illness.

Related terms

• caecotroph
• caecotrophic

See also

• reingestion