Relationship between length of intestines and the diet of an animal?

[AndrewChen]

i've always wondered this...

 

[micromass]

What have you wondered about then?

Carnivores typically have shorter intestines than herbivores, for the simple reason that plants are harder to digest than meat. Omnivores, like humans, usually fall somewhere inbetween...

I also want to say thay I know absolutely nothing about biology, I just read the above somewhere. So don't take my word for it

 

[mishrashubham]

The main problem with taking in plant matter as food is digesting cellulose. Since its is a very long polysaccharide and also has strong bonds between its molecules, it is harder to break down.

Ruminating animals like cows have certain bacteria in their guts which make enzymes called cellulases that help them to break down cellulose.

And therefore may be (I am not really sure that's the reason) they have longer intestines in order to give enough time to the enzymes to act upon the fibres. (This seems like a weak argument and hence we really need experts to talk upon the subject)

 

[grandbeauch]

I also think it has to do with the strength of the stomach acid. I read something that stated carnivores have harsher stomach acid along with shorter intestinal tract.