A coprophagist is an organism or individual that exhibits the behavior of consuming or ingesting feces. The term is derived from the Greek words "copros," meaning feces, and "phagein," meaning to eat. Coprophagists can be found within various animal species, notably insects, mammals, and birds.
In the animal kingdom, coprophagy serves different purposes depending on the species. For instance, some insects, such as dung beetles, consume feces as a way to obtain essential nutrients that are still present in waste materials. Additionally, certain rodents, like rabbits and pikas, practice coprophagy to harness additional nutrients by fermenting the waste products within their digestive system.
Contrary to common belief, coprophagy is also observed in some mammals, including certain primates, rabbits, and rodents. In these cases, coprophagy usually occurs to aid in the digestion of plant-based food, as the animal's initial digestion did not effectively extract all the nutrients. By consuming the soft, partially digested feces (known as cecotropes), these animals are able to extract additional vitamins, proteins, and fatty acids.
While coprophagy may seem unpalatable to humans, who generally find fecal matter repugnant, it serves important physiological and ecological functions for various organisms. It allows certain species to maximize their nutrient intake, aids in the decomposition and recycling of organic matter, and even supports the establishment of symbiotic relationships within ecosystems.
