Avian Digestive System
The avian digestive system is the type
found in poultry.
This system differs greatly!
 Since a bird has no teeth, no chewing
 The esophagus empties directly into the crop.
 Crop = where the food is stored and soaked.
 Proventriculus = glandular stomach (HCI and
gastric juices); enzymatic (like a human stomach)
 Gizzard = very muscular organ, which normally
contains stones or grit that grinds the
food.
 Cloaca = posterior opening (similar to anus) – one
opening for urinary, intestinal and reproductive tract
Questions?
Just for Fun…
Which mammal has the longest
digestive system?
Guesses???
Koala
Largest Herbivore
Just for Fun…
How long does digestion take…
Guesses???
IT DEPENDS…
•What was eating
•What animal is digesting
•If digestive tract/bacteria are
working correctly
(Average 3-6 hours)
Ferrets = FASTEST (30 min)
Sloths
Everything about a
sloth is slowmoving, including
his digestive
system. It can take
up to a month
Just for Fun…
How many stomachs
does a whale have?
Guesses???
Whales have a threesectioned stomach. The
first section of a whale's
stomach breaks down its
food by crushing. The
second section mixes the
food with digestive juices
and the third further mixes
the food and digestive
juices.
Additional Resources
Video Link to Fistula Cow
Video Link to 3D Horse Digestion Guide
CrashCourse Video – Digestion
Cat Dissection Video – Digestive Tract
Questions?