Tigers have a shorter small intestine compared to cows. The length of

Tigers have a shorter small intestine compared to cows. The length of the small intestine differs in various animals depending on the

availability of water in their habitat.
size of their mouth cavity.
kind of habitats where they live.
kind of food they eat.
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UPSC CISF-AC-EXE – 2020
Tigers are carnivores and cows are herbivores. The length of the small intestine in animals is primarily adapted to the type of food they eat. Carnivores eat meat, which is relatively easy to digest and absorb, thus requiring a shorter digestive tract. Herbivores eat plant material, which is rich in cellulose and requires a longer, more complex digestive process, often involving fermentation by symbiotic microorganisms. A longer small intestine provides more surface area and time for the digestion and absorption of nutrients from plant matter.
The digestive system, including the length of the small intestine, is adapted to the diet of the animal. Herbivores have longer intestines than carnivores due to the difficulty in digesting plant cellulose.
The digestion of cellulose in herbivores often occurs in specialized chambers (like the rumen in cows) or in the hindgut, requiring a slower passage rate and a larger surface area for absorption, which is facilitated by a longer small intestine and overall digestive tract.
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