Lignophagia

Part of a series on
Ethology
Branches Animal cognition Animal communication Animal consciousness Animal culture Animal sexual behaviour Animal welfare science Anthrozoology Behavioural ecology Behavioural genetics Cognitive ethology Comparative psychology Emotion in animals Evolutionary neuroscience Instinct Learning Neuroethology Sociobiology Tool use by animals Zoosemiotics Zoomusicology
Notable ethologists Patrick Bateson Charles Darwin Richard Dawkins Irenäus Eibl-Eibesfeldt Dian Fossey Karl von Frisch Jane Goodall Heini Hediger Konrad Lorenz Desmond Morris Thomas Sebeok William Homan Thorpe Nikolaas Tinbergen E.O. Wilson Jakob von Uexküll
Animals portal Biology portal  Category
v t e

Lignophagia is the abnormal behaviour of chewing and eating wood. It has been recorded in several species, but perhaps most commonly in horses where it is sometimes referred to as "wood chewing". Lignophagia is a type of eating disorder called pica in which normally non-nutritive substances are chewed or eaten. For some animals, wood is the normal primary food source; such animals are known as xylophagous.

Etymology

Lignophagia is derived from the Latin Lignum meaning wood and the Greek Phago meaning to eat.

In horses

Horses often gnaw on wood rails, fences or boards as if they were food.^[1] This has been linked with dietary deficiencies, and often can be remedied with a balanced diet or dietary supplementation^[2] Lignophagia in horses can be a cause of colic due to the ingestion of wood splinters.^[2] and in severe cases, can cause excessive wearing and deterioration of the teeth.^[3] Horses displaying abnormal oral behaviours may be less desirable to potential buyers and may be devalued as a consequence.

In dogs

Dogs sometimes eat wood which can have negative consequences. Sometimes they will chew the furniture of their owners meaning items must be replaced. Splinters may lodge in the mouth, gums or tongue, causing a depressed appetite. The wood can perforate or block the oesophagus or the intestine, often requiring surgery. Chemically treated wood can result in poisoning.^[4]

In humans

Humans sometimes chew or eat wood, e.g. pencils.^[5] In humans, eating wood is sometimes referred to as xylopagia.

References