Why can't secondary consumers digest the bones of their prey?

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1221994

2026-02-06 18:25

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Secondary consumers, such as carnivores, often lack the specialized enzymes needed to break down the complex structure of bones, which are primarily composed of minerals like calcium and phosphorus, along with collagen. While these consumers can digest soft tissues, the hard, dense nature of bones makes them difficult to process. Additionally, bone fragments can be abrasive and may cause internal damage if ingested, leading to a natural avoidance of consuming them. Therefore, secondary consumers typically rely on softer parts of their prey for nutrition.

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