What physiological mechanism shapes wombat feces into cubes?
Answer
The elasticity of the intestinal walls and varying water content during transit
The formation of cubic feces is a unique byproduct of the wombat's specialized digestive process. As waste moves through the final sections of the intestine, this area possesses high elasticity and the material exhibits varying degrees of water content. This combination allows the elastic intestinal walls to shape the drying fecal matter into distinct, defined segments before expulsion. The resulting product is notably dry and retains this unique angular shape, which contrasts sharply with the rounded pellets or scat typically produced by other herbivores.
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