Osteophagy facts for kids
Osteophagy is when animals, usually plant-eaters (called herbivores), eat bones. Imagine a cow chewing on a bone – that's osteophagy! Most plants around the world don't have enough of a mineral called phosphate. Phosphorus is a super important mineral for all animals. It helps build strong bones and is needed for many body functions. These include getting energy, making proteins, and even producing milk.
Not having enough phosphorus can cause problems. Animals might grow slower or have trouble making new bone. It's also important to have the right balance of phosphorus and calcium. This balance helps the body absorb these minerals properly.
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Why Animals Eat Bones
Animals eat bones mainly to get more phosphorus and calcium. These minerals are vital for their health. Eating bones helps them avoid serious health problems caused by not having enough of these minerals. Scientists think this behavior is natural for many animals.
Animals That Practice Osteophagy
People have seen animals eating bones for over 200 years. This behavior is common in farm animals and wild animals. It's especially seen in hoofed animals like ungulates and other herbivores.
Evidence of osteophagy goes back a very long time. Scientists found signs of it in Pleistocene animal fossils from 780,000 years ago. Many different animals do this. These include red deer, camels, giraffes, wildebeest, antelopes, tortoises, and even grizzly bears.
How Different Animals Chew Bones
The type of teeth an animal has affects how they eat bones.
- Herbivores (plant-eaters) usually chew old, dry bones. These bones are easier for their grinding teeth to break apart.
- Carnivores (meat-eaters) prefer softer, fresh bones. Their sharp teeth are better suited for this.
Sometimes, even humans have shown similar behaviors!
Downsides of Eating Bones
While eating bones helps animals get important minerals, it can also cause problems.
- One big problem is that it can wear down an animal's teeth.
- It can also cause teeth to break.
- Herbivores' teeth are made for grinding plants, not for chewing hard bones regularly. So, eating bones can be tough on their teeth.
