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If you are talking about dogs specifically, I can partly explain why.
A dog's sense of smell is much different than our own. When we smell something, we smell everything that is compiled in that one object (ex. fecal matter smells horrible to us.), however dogs can smell individual scents in fecal matter, so they eat it because they smell something appealing.
Now that explains why they eat fecal matter, but not necessarily why they do not get sick. I believe the reason they do not get sick has to do with something called tolerance thresholds.
To explain, when we are stimulated in any way (in this case smell) our nervous system reacts by releasing what is called an action potential. This only happens when the stimulus is strong enough, however. This potential must reach our threshold in order for us to give a response to the stimulus.
Now everyone has different thresholds. An example is a room that smells like dead fish. One person can walk in and feel completely fine and then another person can walk in and feel really nauseous. This might be the case with dogs. They eat fecal matter because they smell something appealing and it does not bother them in any way as opposed to humans that would probably vomit by eating feces.
I hope this answer was helpful and did not completely bore you to death. :)
Sources:
My Biology Teacher
My Biology Notebook
Knowledge from previous Psychology classes
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∙ 13y ago
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Yes they do. When their fecal matter is examined it is revieled they have eaten monkeys and antelopes. Chimps also eat other primates as well as their own kind.
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They eat dead organic matter.Decomposers eat dead animals and plant matter.
What do rolie polies eat?
DEad organic matter such as leaves and dead grass.
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Most water softener salt pellets are safe for animals to eat. However, some have additives that might make your animal sick.
What is an animal that feeds on other animals or animal parts called?
carnivore >>New person When you refer to the diet, then yes, they are called carnivore, unless they eat plants as well as meat, which means they're omnivore. An animal that hunts and eats other animals are also called predators.
Can you eat fecal matter if you are starving?
You can eat fecal matter if you have to but you could become very sick, and possibly die. There is no usable "food" left behind. You would be eating fiber and bacteria.
Does fecal matter eat other fecal matter?
Feces does not eat other feces. Feces is a byproduct of bodily waste and is not able to eat anything. All humans and animals defecate in order to release their waste.
How do you eat fecal matter and survive?
Nothing in feces is lethal.
Does your fecal matter stink?
It depends on what you eat.
What happens if you eat human feces?
At best, nothing at all other than bad breath and possible indigestion. However, fecal matter does carry diseases which can make you quite sick, particularly if the feces is from someone who is sick.
Does fecal matter make energy?
Yes, but if humans eat it it will not make energy. Some substances (like fecal matter) are only meant for decomposers to eat. If humans eat it it will not do anything beneficial. Fecal matter can give off methane gas when it decomposes, and the methane can be used as fuel. Frontiersmen burned buffalo chips for energy.
How does feces taste?
Fecal matter does not taste very pleasant to humans. You can tell by the smell that it isn't going to taste good.Certain animals seem to like fecal matter. Deer will eat the first feces of rabbits, and you can usually hunt for rabbits and deer in the same spot for that reason. Vegan animals have to eat their own feces to get all the nutrients out of what they eat, since there is still a certain amount of nutrition left the first time they pass it.
Does a starfish eat zooplankton?
Yes, fecal matter and barnacle remains also.
Does noah worton really eat dog?
no.. sadly but he does in fact eat their fecal matter ~dchughes :P
Is it safe to eat cooked fecal matter?
No way, this is insane. Use your logical approach to answer this question. The fecal matter contains a lot of harmful elements which are ejected out of the body because they are not required.
How do bristleworms eat?
Marine Bristle worms eat detritus and fecal matter. They are opportunist scavengers and bottom feeders.
What does compost taste like?
It depends on what you are putting in your compost bin. The best kind of compost contains nutrients obtained from the fecal matter of animals. So, a lot like fecal matter. Try spooning your own poop into your mouth next time you go number two and you won't have to eat compost to get an idea of what it tastes like.
