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11 grade biology others

Coprophagous animals areA. Blood feederB. Dung feederC. Eating faecesD. Eating members of own species

Profile image of Aniket Singh
1 Year agoGrade
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1 Answer

Profile image of Askiitians Tutor Team
1 Year ago

The correct answer is B. Dung feeder.

Detailed Explanation:

Coprophagy Definition: The term "coprophagy" is derived from Greek words "copros", meaning dung, and "phagein", meaning to eat. It refers to the behavior of consuming feces.

Coprophagous Animals: These animals feed on dung as a source of nutrients. They typically consume feces produced by herbivores, as it contains partially digested plant material that still holds nutritional value.

Examples of Coprophagous Animals:

Dung beetles: They collect and consume animal feces, which serves as both food and a place for laying eggs.
Some species of rodents and lagomorphs (like rabbits): These animals may re-ingest their feces to extract more nutrients in a process called cecotrophy.
Other Options Clarified:

A. Blood feeder: This describes animals like mosquitoes and leeches, which feed on blood. They are called hematophagous, not coprophagous.
C. Eating faeces: While coprophagous animals technically consume feces, the term "dung feeder" (option B) is a more specific and widely accepted description.
D. Eating members of own species: This is referred to as cannibalism, not coprophagy.
Therefore, the correct classification of coprophagous animals is that they are dung feeders.