Elaine Powers began her exploration into coprophagy after teaching students about the behavioral adaptations of rabbits regarding their cecotropes. Post-retirement, her internship at the Smithsonian revealed the prevalence of coprophagy among animals, including a case of South American rodents developing vitamin D toxicity from consuming monkey feces. Powers noted a lack of scientific literature on the subject, explaining that society often associates feces strictly with disease rather than nutrition. Her research highlights that many animals intentionally consume feces to augment their diets, challenging common perceptions of this behavior.
When studying coprophagy, it's clear animals consume feces not merely out of necessity but sometimes as a strategic dietary choice, challenging traditional perceptions.
Powers discovered animals in both captivity and the wild regularly engage in coprophagy, revealing their varied nutritional strategies and challenges.
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