What animals are hindgut fermenters?

Hindgut fermenters are animals that digest plant material in their hindgut, specifically in the cecum and colon. This is in contrast to foregut fermenters, which digest plant material in their foregut, such as the rumen.

Here are some examples of hindgut fermenters:

Mammals:

* Horses: Known for their long digestive tracts and ability to efficiently digest tough plant matter.

* Rabbits: Have a large cecum where most of their digestion takes place. They practice "cecotrophy," consuming soft, nutrient-rich feces to extract more nutrients.

* Rodents: Many species of rodents, including rats, mice, and hamsters, are hindgut fermenters.

* Some Primates: Including colobus monkeys and howler monkeys, have adapted to a diet of leaves.

Other Animals:

* Some Reptiles: Including iguanas and tortoises, have adapted to herbivorous diets with specialized hindguts.

It's important to note that some animals, such as pigs, are considered mixed fermenters. They have a small cecum but also some rumen-like activity in their stomach.

The key characteristic of hindgut fermenters is that the majority of their plant digestion happens after the stomach, in the cecum and colon. This allows them to break down cellulose and other complex carbohydrates using microbes present in their hindgut.