thumb|A Spotted hyena chewing a wilderbeest skeleton.|300x300px thumb|Bull cattle chewing on a bone Osteophagy is the practice of eating bones. It occurs among both carnivorous and herbiviorous animals. Among carnivores, it is an ecological niche where a species can extract more nutrition from the same food resources than competitors can, by being able to crack apart and digest bones. These adaptions may be dental, as in spotted hyenas and wolverines, or physiological and behavioral, as in bearded vultures. Among non-carnivores, the word refers to a behavior where individuals of a species cons
thumb|A Spotted hyena chewing a wilderbeest skeleton.|300x300px thumb|Bull cattle chewing on a bone Osteophagy is the practice of eating bones. It occurs among both carnivorous and herbiviorous animals. Among carnivores, it is an ecological niche where a species can extract more nutrition from the same food resources than competitors can, by being able to crack apart and digest bones. These adaptions may be dental, as in spotted hyenas and wolverines, or physiological and behavioral, as in bearded vultures. Among non-carnivores, the word refers to a behavior where individuals of a species consume bone, usually for supplemental minerals. Some species of herbivore, such as the North American porcupine, are especially attracted to chewing mineral-rich materials, but many mammals that live on vegetation may do so.
Most vegetation around the world lacks sufficient amounts of phosphate to support bone growth. Phosphorus is an essential mineral for all animals, as it plays a major role in the formation of the skeletal system, and is necessary for many biological processes including: energy metabolism, protein synthesis, cell signaling, and lactation. Phosphate deficiencies can cause physiological side effects, especially pertaining to the reproductive system, as well as side effects of delayed growth and failure to regenerate new bone. The importance of having sufficient amounts of phosphorus further resides in the physiological importance of maintaining a proper phosphorus to calcium ratio. Having a Ca:P ratio of 2:1 is important for the absorption of these minerals, as deviations from this optimal ratio can inhibit their absorption. Dietary calcium and phosphorus ratio, along with vitamin D, regulates bone mineralization and turnover by affecting calcium and phosphorus transport and absorption in the intestine.
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