04/07/2025
One Might Ask… What Do Zebras and Rabbits Have in Common?!
A million-dollar question! And yes — their similarities go far beyond their kickboxing hind limbs, nibbly front teeth, or even their attitude.
The real connection lies deep in their anatomy and physiology. You see, both zebras and rabbits are what we call hindgut fermenters. It’s not just a fancy term — it means that, unlike cattle, goats, and other ruminants who digest food in their fore (four) stomachs, hindgut fermenters like zebras and rabbits do most of their digestion in the last part of their intestines, specifically in the caecum and large intestines.
This unique digestive system allows them to efficiently break down fibrous, cellulose-rich plant material — often better than cattle. But this strength is also their Achilles’ heel. Hindgut fermenters are very sensitive to dietary imbalances, particularly low-fibre diets, which can lead to serious physiological disruptions if not properly managed.
I recently had the privilege of performing two postmortems — one on a zebra in Chirundu, and another on rabbits from a farm in Chongwe. Despite the species difference and ecological contexts, the findings were strikingly similar: nutritional imbalances, especially fibre deficiencies, likely played a role in the unfortunate deaths.
In both cases, critical insights emerged:
In the zebra: Post-mortem revealed heart complications and septic shock, potentially linked to forage quality and supplementation issues in a semi-wild lodge setting.
In the rabbits: A suspected ear mite infestation, poor cage sanitation, and possible stress-related deaths underscored the need for structured health plans and better fodder diversity.
These cases reminded me that efficient digestion does not mean invincibility. Hindgut digesters require:
✅ Balanced diets (not just quantity, but quality)
✅ Low-stress environments
✅ Regular parasite and disease control
✅ Ecological awareness of their natural behavior and feeding habits
📌 Key Insight: Post-mortems are more than reports on death—they’re lessons about life we failed to protect.
Just a reminder that good nutrition isn't just about feeding — it's about understanding how each species digests and thrives.
Let’s move from reactive care to preventive and ecological veterinary strategies—whether we’re on a game reserve or managing a rabbitry.
