Biology
The Role of Gut Microbiota in Nutrient Digestion and Immune Function in Herbivorous Mammals
Quick fact
In herbivorous mammals, gut microbes—bacteria, archaea, protozoa, and fungi—can digest cellulose into volatile fatty acids that provide up to 70% of the animal's daily energy, effectively acting as an 'extra stomach'.
Why this is interesting
If you’ve ever tried to eat a piece of grass, you know it’s tough, tasteless, and impossible to digest. So how do cows, horses, and koalas survive on a diet of leaves and stalks?