Previous theories state that marsupials had unique gut bacteria thus producing less methane. However, a new study reveals that Kangaroo farts are not as eco-friendly as previously believed.
As reported in Discovery News, Kangaroos release significant amounts of methane to the environment according to a study published in the Journal of Experimental Biology. This contradicts previous theories that the marsupials possess unique microbes that reduce methane production, making eco-friendly farts.
Co-author Marcus Clauss from the University of Zurich said in a press release, "Kangaroos are not mysteriously low methane-producing creatures, but herbivores with an active methane-producing microbe community."
In a bid to combat climate change, the researchers focused on this odd issue since methane is a known greenhouse gas that can contribute to climate change.
Researchers find the levels of methane per Kangaroo food intake may vary in just a few days.
Co-author Adam Munn from University of Wollongong confirmed this, "If the animals eat less, i.e. food remains in their foregut for longer and the bacteria have more time to digest, they produce more methane per food intake."
For the study, one group had to measure everything that the Kangaroos ate and released. The animals were sealed in individual rooms and were fed alfalfa. Some of the Kangaroos were given a set of diet while others were strictly eating alfalfa. This is to determine how much methane the marsupials produce thru their farts. They also observed how efficient the digestion system of these animals in curbing methane.
According to the Sacramento Bee, generally Kangaroos produce less methane than cows when compared individually. However when researchers tried to look at methane emission in relation to food intake, the amount of methane produced comes pretty close to cow methane production.
Scientists are now trying to come up ways on how to address the issue. They are considering changing the animals' diets and breeding animals whose food won't remain in the foreguts for such a long time.
So it was suggested that if cows had the same digestion microbes as kangaroos then they would probably release the same amount of methane naturally. This goes true if cows digested food as quickly as kangaroos do. What do you think about the unique discovery about Kangaroo farts? Don't be shy and leave us your comments below.
