Which specific bacteria can a vulture stomach neutralize during digestion?
Answer
Clostridium botulinum and E. coli
The vulture's digestive tract is specialized to handle highly putrid material that would be toxic to most other animals. The extreme acidity of the stomach is specifically capable of destroying pathogens such as Clostridium botulinum and E. coli. This process prevents the spread of these dangerous bacteria into the surrounding environment, thereby limiting the contamination that might occur if decaying remains were left to rot undisturbed.
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