Question

What is the stomach pH of a hyena, shark, and a vulture?

Answer 1

The stomach pH of a hyena, shark, and vulture is highly acidic, typically between 1 and 2, to facilitate the digestion of tough materials and the sterilization of food. These animals rely on strong gastric acids, including hydrochloric acid, to denature proteins and activate enzymes necessary for digestion and killing pathogens.

Step-by-step explanation:

The stomach pH of a hyena, shark, and a vulture is highly acidic, which is necessary for their digestive processes. These animals often consume a diet that includes difficult-to-digest materials such as bones and tough tissues, necessitating a powerful digestive environment. While specific pH levels can vary, the stomach pH for these types of carnivorous and scavenging animals is typically between 1 and 2, similar to the highly acidic environment found in the human stomach which is also around a pH of 1 to 2 for optimal digestion and sterilization of food.

Hyenas are known for their strong digestive systems that allow them to process entire animal carcasses, bones, and all, which suggests they have a very low (acidic) stomach pH. Sharks, as apex predators, also consume a diet that requires a robust digestive system, implying a similarly acidic gastric environment. Vultures, known for consuming carrion that may contain many bacteria, have a stomach pH that is extremely acidic, not just to digest tough materials but also to kill potentially harmful microbes.

These acidic conditions are essential for breaking down proteins and killing potential pathogens, which is why the stomachs of such animals evolved to maintain such low pH levels. The acidic environment is facilitated by the secretion of gastric acids, mainly hydrochloric acid (HCl), which denatures proteins and activates specific digestive enzymes like pepsin that require a low pH to function properly.

Answer 2

Stomach acid is measured in pH. Where a smaller pH is a stronger acid. The white backed vulture has a stomach pH of 1.2 and the great white shark has a pH of 1.3.Spotted Hyenas are the largest species of hyena, with females being up to 10% larger than males. They have a body length of 1.3 m (4.25 ft), a tail length of 25 cms (10 inches) and they weigh between 62 and 70 kgs (135 - 155 lbs). Hyenas are carnivores, with some species being mostly carrion eaters, such as the striped hyena, while the iconic spotted hyena is actually mostly a predator who kills and thus eats its food "fresh". Carnivores as well as scavengers have lower pH in their stomachs, which means the concentration of hydro chloric acid is higher.