Most people have experienced the discomfort of getting a fish bone stuck in their throat, and unfortunately, some have even lost their lives due to this issue. It’s not only humans who eat fish; many animals in the wild also consume fish. So, do these animals not fear getting fish bones stuck in their throats while eating?
Why do fish have bones? From an evolutionary perspective, fish bones are primarily found in less advanced freshwater species, mainly to compensate for a lack of muscle strength. More evolved fish species, such as most ocean fish, do not have bones. In simple terms, fish with fewer bones tend to have a coarser texture, while those with more bones are considered tastier, like cod.
Penguins and cormorants, two species that eat fish in a very simple and rough manner. (Illustrative photo)
Many animals rely on fish as a primary food source, including penguins, cormorants, brown bears, and otters. Penguins and cormorants consume fish in a very straightforward and rough manner, as birds, they do not possess teeth but have some spines in their mouths, allowing them to gulp down fish whole.
The digestive tract of penguins is quite rigid, preventing fish bones from scratching. Once in the stomach, the acid gradually dissolves the bones, eliminating the risk of choking. The fish that penguins typically eat are usually small, while cormorants are stronger and can even swallow fish as long as their own bodies, which is quite impressive.
Brown bears are also a species that primarily consume fish. Generally, the esophagus of carnivores is relatively sturdy. Brown bears eat fish in a straightforward and rough manner. Smaller fish are swallowed whole, while larger ones are bitten in half before being gulped down. Bears do not chew slowly, so they typically do not worry about choking on fish bones.
Brown bears are also a species that primarily consume fish.
When otters eat fish, they chew all parts of the fish, including bones, scales, organs, and flesh before swallowing.
Besides these animals, humans, cats, dogs, and other species can consume fish, but they do not rely on fish as their main food source.
The human digestive system is actually more suited to plant-based foods, and it is quite sensitive, requiring food to be chewed thoroughly before swallowing. When consuming meat, it is also chewed slowly, and bones are never swallowed. This makes the human digestive system distinct from that of other carnivores, necessitating slow chewing. Fish bones, therefore, are hidden dangers. When eating fish, one should be careful to use their tongue to locate small fish bones and spit them out.
In addition to having very sharp teeth, cats also possess a spiny tongue. When eating fish, they use their tongue to filter out the bones and pull the meat into their stomachs. If a few fish bones accidentally slip into a cat’s stomach, they will have no adverse effect because a cat’s stomach is very efficient at digesting. Once the fish bones enter the cat’s stomach, they are broken down by stomach acid, meaning cats are unlikely to choke on fish bones.
When eating fish, cats use their tongues to filter out bones and pull the meat into their stomachs.
There are countless creatures living in this world, and many have yet to be discovered. Therefore, the mysteries of nature need to be explored; only after extensive exploration can we fully understand this blue planet.
