How do rats eat potatoes? - briefly
Rats bite potatoes with their incisors, gnawing pieces into bite‑size fragments before swallowing. They favor softened, cooked tubers but will also chew raw potatoes after moistening them with saliva.
How do rats eat potatoes? - in detail
Rats approach a potato as a solid food item that must be broken down before ingestion. First, they use their incisors to gnaw a bite‑sized piece, creating a sharp edge that separates the tuber from the surrounding soil or surface. The incisors, which grow continuously, are self‑sharpening and capable of cutting through the thick skin and flesh of the potato.
After the initial bite, the rat chews the fragment with its molars. The molars grind the tissue, mixing it with saliva that contains enzymes such as amylase. Saliva moistens the starches, beginning the conversion of complex carbohydrates into simpler sugars that are easier to digest.
The chewed material forms a bolus that the rat swallows. The esophagus transports the bolus to the stomach, where gastric acids and pepsin further break down proteins and starches. The stomach’s muscular contractions ensure thorough mixing with digestive juices.
From the stomach, the semi‑liquid chyme moves into the small intestine. Here, pancreatic amylase and intestinal enzymes continue carbohydrate digestion, while bile from the liver emulsifies any residual lipids. Nutrients are absorbed through the intestinal wall into the bloodstream.
Rats typically repeat this cycle several times per feeding session, selecting multiple bite points to maximize the amount of potato consumed. Their high metabolic rate requires frequent intake, so they often return to the same tuber until it is exhausted or no longer palatable.