Possible misinterpretation of the human digestive system?

Question

Why are we taught that we are omnivores when we have teeth and a digest system very similar to the herbivores of this planet.

Answer 1

1) We don't have a digestive system at all similar to a herbivore. Herbivores almost always have very long guts with massive expansion of either the colon or the stomach to allow for fermentation. Humans have very short guts with no expansion of either the colon or the stomach. The human gut for example is much shorter than that of a goat and is considerably shorter even than that of chimpanzees or pigs, and chimps and pigs are indisputably omnivores. The human gut is somewhat longer than that of a large dog, which is about what we would expect from a largely omnivorous diet.

We have do not have the teeth of a herbivore. Human teeth are far more similar to the teeth of a pig or a bear than they are to a cow or rabbit. We have well developed canines for example, and we have a continuous line of slicing incisors and premolars in both jaws. The herbivores generally lack canines altogether and their incisors are of the shearing kind and often found on only one jaw and are almost always incomplete, with large gaps.

3) Humans have numerous other carnivore traits, such as an inability to synthesis the B group vitamins which can only be obtained form animal flesh. We also have strongly binocular vision and an instinctive group hunting behavior.

Based upon our skeletons, physiology and behavior we are without a doubt carnivores. And of course we know that all human groups are carnivores and always have been. With the rise of agriculture some groups have become parasitic on cattle to obtain essential animal nutrients, but that doesn't change the fact. Only with the rise of modern technology and the ability o synthesis nutrients in vats was true vegetarianism even an option for human beings.

Answer 2

Our digestive system is not like that of a herbivore, we are unable to digest cellulose. Our teeth are unlike those of a herbivore, ours having cutting edges at the front and our molars are not ridged. Also our eyes point directly ahead to give 3D vision as with all hunting animals.

Answer 3

We really don't have the digestive system of a herbivore. Most Herbivories have several stomachs or a gizzard to more efficently grind plants. ie a cow or a bird.

Mark

Answer 4

If you are referring to appendix, then its use in digestion was to produce enzymes to digest uncooked grass and plants. Other then that I don't see any resemblance. Our canine teeth suggest that we are omnivores.

Answer 5

Because the human body requires protein

Answer 6

We are capable of eating both meats and plants, omnivores.

Answer 7

hydrochloric acid is in the stomach enzymes are in the mouth, stomach and small intestine

Answer 8

We have omnivorous teeth in front.

Answer 9

because we are omnivores. plants have protiens too. but they dont taste as good as bloody meat