the mechanical breakdown of protein occurs in the stomach.
where does the mechanical breakdown of protein occur?
the stomach
crocodilian teeth are adapted for seizing and holding prey, and food is swallowed unchewed. the digestive tract is relatively short, as meat is a fairly simple substance to digest. the stomach is divided into two parts: a muscular gizzard that grinds food, and a digestive chamber where enzymes work on it. the stomach is more acidic than that of any other vertebrate and contains ridges for gastroliths, which play a role in the mechanical breakdown of food. digestion takes place more quickly at higher temperatures. crocodilians have a very low metabolic rate and consequently, low energy requirements. this allows them to survive for many months on a single large meal, digesting the food slowly. they can withstand extended fasting, living on stored fat between meals. even recently hatched crocodiles are able to survive 58 days without food, losing 23% of their bodyweight during this time. an adult crocodile needs between a tenth and a fifth of the amount of food necessary for a lion of the same weight, and can live for half a year without eating.
crocodilia
warren winiarski





























warren winiarski (born 1928) is a napa valley winemaker and the founder and former proprietor of stag's leap wine cellars.
warren winiarski