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Fiber Digestion in the Beaver

Animal and Veterinary Sciences Department, University of Maine, Orono, Maine 04473

Investigations primarily concerned with fiber digestion were conducted using beaver taken from their natural habitat. Levels of dry matter, acid detergent fiber (ADF), lignin, protein and volatile fatty acids were determined in the ingesta at several locations in the gastrointestinal tract. Cellulose was calculated as the difference between ADF and lignin. Using the lignin ratio between the stomach and lower colon contents, the average cellulose digestion was estimated at 30% and protein at 44%. Total VFA levels were highest in the cecum and upper colon, averaging 0.498 and 0.419 mEq/g DM, respectively, while the total VFA level in the lower colon averaged 0.222 mEq/g DM. The molar proportions of VFA in the cecum were: acetic 66%, propionic 12%, and butyric 20%. The larger proportion of butyrate relative to propionate was also noted during in vitro fermentations of both poplar bark and cellulose by organisms from the cecum and upper colon.

KEY WORDS: • fiber digestion • beaver

¹ Present address: Department of Animal Sciences, Washington State University, Pullman, Washington 99163.

Manuscript received 16 July 1971.