Question

(a) Why is the small intestine in herbivores longer than in carnivores ?

Answer 1

Herbivores like Deer, Cows, and Goats depend on plants for their nutrition.

• These plants contain complex carbohydrates like cellulose and hemicellulose that need to be broken down. Hence, they need a longer intestine.
• Carnivores like Lions, Tigers, and Cats do not eat plants, they depend upon other animals for their nutrition. Thus, they can digest their food easily as compared to herbivores.
• Hence, the small intestine in herbivores is longer than that of carnivores.