Which group regurgitates pellets?

Which group regurgitates pellets?

• A. Mammals
• B. Fish
• C. Reptiles
• D. Birds of prey

Answer: (D)

Pellets are a distinctive feature of birds of prey. These birds swallow their prey whole or in large pieces, and while digestion proceeds, the indigestible parts—like fur, bones, and feathers—cannot be broken down further. Those materials are compacted inside the stomach and then regurgitated as a single, solid pellet through the mouth. Scientists use these pellets to infer what the bird has been eating, since the pellet contains only the leftovers.

Mammals don’t form pellets in this way; they may regurgitate for other reasons (like cud-chewing in some herbivores), but that’s not the same process. Fish and reptiles don’t regularly regurgitate pellets like this either.