Silverback gorilla's actually anatomically have similar digestive systems, in which the only difference is the physiological make up and processes that are happening within the digestive system . Who would've guessed?!
These amazing mammals can intake more than 40 lbs of vegetation per day. This makes them herbivorous creatures. The food first is broken down by both chemical and mechanical processes. Next absorption, which takes the digested food particles and disperses them to the cardiovascular and lymphatic system for cell distribution of essential nutrients.
Video of Silverback eating termites:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KwL0Gef8gsc
"The primary difference of the digestive system between gorillas and humans is found in the gastrointestinal tract. Gorillas are herbivores so they need to be able to break down cellulose. Gorillas are known to be colon fermenters, which is defined as the anaerobic breakdown of organic compounds. Gorillas have large colons and the large intestine is filled with microbes (bacterial) and enzymes indigenous to the colon of the host, which destroy pathogenic microorganisms that are harmful to the host. Within gorillas it is believed that these bacteria serve the purpose of fermenting, detoxifying food, and breaking down cellulose (Stevens and Hume, 1995)."
It isn’t uncommon for a male to eat about 40 pounds of food daily. They have very large stomachs and a very fast digestive system. They do seem to have a desire for lots of variety though. A gorilla can have plenty of one type of food in front of him, eat some of it, and then venture of to try something else
Website used: http://biology.knoji.com/lowland-gorillas-of-africa-habitat-social-structure-and-diet-why-gorillas-are-so-fat/
These amazing mammals can intake more than 40 lbs of vegetation per day. This makes them herbivorous creatures. The food first is broken down by both chemical and mechanical processes. Next absorption, which takes the digested food particles and disperses them to the cardiovascular and lymphatic system for cell distribution of essential nutrients.
Video of Silverback eating termites:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KwL0Gef8gsc
"The primary difference of the digestive system between gorillas and humans is found in the gastrointestinal tract. Gorillas are herbivores so they need to be able to break down cellulose. Gorillas are known to be colon fermenters, which is defined as the anaerobic breakdown of organic compounds. Gorillas have large colons and the large intestine is filled with microbes (bacterial) and enzymes indigenous to the colon of the host, which destroy pathogenic microorganisms that are harmful to the host. Within gorillas it is believed that these bacteria serve the purpose of fermenting, detoxifying food, and breaking down cellulose (Stevens and Hume, 1995)."
It isn’t uncommon for a male to eat about 40 pounds of food daily. They have very large stomachs and a very fast digestive system. They do seem to have a desire for lots of variety though. A gorilla can have plenty of one type of food in front of him, eat some of it, and then venture of to try something else
Website used: http://biology.knoji.com/lowland-gorillas-of-africa-habitat-social-structure-and-diet-why-gorillas-are-so-fat/