Reingestion in the Black-Tailed Jack Rabbit

摘要: It has long been known that the domestic rabbit produces both hard and soft fecal pellets (Morot, 1882). The are normal waste product of digestive tract feces one finds in field. a special caecum, takes them directly from its anus swallows whole. Morot's observations went virtually unnoticed until they were confirmed by Madsen (1939), but since time many workers have become interested phenomenon it variously termed “pseudo-rumination,” “refection,” “coprophagy,” “reingestion.” latter term is perhaps most appropriate (Watson, 1954) used throughout present paper. Most investigations concerned with reingestion varieties Oryctolagus cuniculus , Southern (1940) showed was part biology species wild. Watson (1954) Meyer (1955) amplified on wild populations same New Zealand Australia, respectively. As early as 1895 suggested occurred European hare ( Lepus europaeus ) Taylor verified this introduced hares Zealand. authors suggest may be feature lagomorph biology, emphasize scarcity data North American species. Hamilton notes presence stomach swamp Sylvilagus palustris Florida, Kirkpatrick (1956) describes act swallowing cottontail floridanus ). Except for these two reports, no other published information available any lagomorphs. During …