在许多动物眼里，屎，可是一个好东西。屎壳郎已经名声在外，苍蝇也天天围着厕所转悠，小兔子则直接从肛门摄取软便，进行二次消化。
那么，古生物是否也好这一口呢？
食粪，为传统习俗
来自澳大利亚三叠纪时期的粪化石，（G）疑似带有无脊椎动物活动痕迹。图片来源：参考文献[1]
食粪，猛犸象也在行
真猛犸象（长毛猛犸象）复原图。图片来源：wikipedia
Yukagir猛犸象的遗骸。图片来源：参考文献[2]
猛犸象肠道里的粪便。图片来源：参考文献[3]
那它吃了谁的便便呢？
阿拉斯加发现的猛犸象粪便化石。图片来源：参考文献[4]
食粪，从娃娃抓起
猛犸象幼崽Lyuba。图片来源：wikipedia
它作为一个月大的猛犸象幼崽，尚且无法咀嚼植物，嘴里刚刚萌出的小牙齿也没有明显磨损，营养来源主要依靠母亲的乳汁。
猛犸象幼崽消化道里的奶液残留物。图片来源：参考文献[5]
猛犸象幼崽消化道里的植物残骸，图20和图21为带有咀嚼痕迹的莎草科植物。图片来源：参考文献[5]
猛犸象幼崽的消化道内容物，图42和图43为真菌Sporormiella。图片来源：参考文献[5]
颈部可见脂肪堆积形成的隆起，身体两侧也有较厚的脂肪层。图片来源：参考文献[6]
既然不缺营养，为何还吃便便呢？
三个月大的非洲象在吃新鲜粪便。图片来源：HERD Elephant Orphanage
参考文献：
[1] Northwood, Caroline. (2005). Early Triassic coprolites from Australia and their palaeobiological significance. Palaeontology. 48. 49 - 68. 10.1111/j.1475-4983.2004.00432.x.
[2] Mol, Dick; Shoshani, Jeheskel (Hezy); Tikhonov, Aleksei; GEEL, Bas van; Lazarev, Peter; Boeskorov, Gennady; Agenbroad, Larry (2006). "The Yukagir Mammoth: Brief History, 14c dates, individual age, gender, size, physical and environmental conditions and storage" . Scientific Annals, School of Geology Aristotle University of Thessaloniki (AUTH). 98: 299–314. Retrieved 2014-06-12.
[3] Geel, Bas & Aptroot, Andre & Baittinger, Claudia & Birks, Hilary & Bull, Ian & Cross, Hugh & Evershed, Richard & Gravendeel, Barbara & Kompanje, Erwin & Kuperus, Peter & Mol, Dick & Nierop, Klaas & Pals, Jan & Tikhonov, Alexei & Reenen, Guido & Tienderen, Peter. (2008). The Ecological implications of a Yakutian mammoth's last meal. Quaternary Research. 69. 361-376. 10.1016/j.yqres.2008.02.004.
[4] Geel, Bas & Guthrie, R. & Altmann, Jens & Broekens, Peter & Bull, Ian & Gill, Fiona & Jansen, Boris & Nieman, Aline & Gravendeel, Barbara. (2011). Mycological evidence of coprophagy from the feces of an Alaskan Late Glacial mammoth. Quaternary Science Reviews. 30. 2289-2303. 10.1016/j.quascirev.2010.03.008.
[5] Geel, Bas & Fisher, Daniel & Rountrey, Adam & Arkel, Jan & Duivenvoorden, Joost & Nieman, Aline & Reenen, Guido & Tikhonov, Alexei & Buigues, Bernard & Gravendeel, Barbara. (2012). Palaeo-environmental and dietary analysis of intestinal contents of a mammoth calf (Yamal Peninsula, northwest Siberia). Quaternary Science Reviews - QUATERNARY SCI REV. 30. 3935-3946. 10.1016/j.quascirev.2011.10.009.
[6] Fisher, Daniel & Tikhonov, Alexei & Kosintsev, Pavel & Rountrey, Adam & Buigues, Bernard & Plicht, Johannes. (2012). Anatomy, death, and preservation of a woolly mammoth (Mammuthus primigenius) calf, Yamal Peninsula, Northwest Siberia. Quaternary International - QUATERN INT. 255. 10.1016/j.quaint.2011.05.040.
文章来源：科普中国网
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