Dec 05, 2023 at 7:55 AM Update: 16 minutes ago
The research into the feces of pets and animals from DierenPark Amersfoort was a great success. The first results about the enzymes in their feces are in.
Researchers from the Academic Center for Dentistry Amsterdam (ACTA), in collaboration with the zoo, have compared the feces of 21 different animal species. The samples ranged from dog and cat turds to the poop of tigers, zebras and otters.
The research shows that animal feces can contain up to ten different enzymes (a type of protein). These enzymes are important for breaking down nutrients.
The enzymes are very active in the feces of meat and fish eaters. This is necessary to properly digest their food. Meat and fish contain many different proteins that are more difficult to break down. The enzyme activity is therefore high in the feces of your own dog or cat.
In the turds of herbivores, activity is lower. Their food is easier to digest. Animal species such as zebras, rabbits, giraffes and stick insects therefore have low enzyme activity in their feces.
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People handed in pet poop en masse
This was the first study of its kind and it was “very successful,” the zoo writes on its own website. “The results provide new insight into animal food processing.” Last spring, the park started a pet waste campaign. During the May holidays, people handed in pet turds en masse.
In the next study, ACTA and Amersfoort Animal Park will examine the feces of even more animal species. These results are used to ultimately start a human-oriented study.
Photo: Amersfoort Animal Park
Beeld: Getty Images
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2023-12-05 06:55:35
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