Gut Adaptations

Rabbit Dissection (Demonstration)

• Health & Safety. p2.

• Rabbit orientation, Incision lines & Gut Anatomy. p3.

• Dissection Images. p4-p6.

• Questions/Activities. p7.

Source of Rabbits

Rabbits have been purchased from Northampton Reptile Centre

(https://www.reptilecentre.com/). The rabbits have been bred for pet food in

ethical conditions and killed humanly – see p 8

THIS BOOKLET CONTAINS IMAGES OF A REAL DISSECTED

RABBIT.

2 Tyrone R.L. John, Chartered Biologist

Key: 1 = Low risk 2 = Moderate Risk 3 = High Risk

1. Rabbit remains, including contaminated tissue paper and plastic sheeting, should be

wrapped in newspaper and sealed in a double black plastic bag and stored in a freezer

until disposal, via the general waste, on the day of refuse collection.

2. Dissection instruments to be sterilized by autoclave at 121oC for 15 minutes or soaking

in 70% ethanol or 1% virkon for 10 minutes.

3. Work surfaces should be sterilised with 70% ethanol or 1% virkon.

4. Dissecting boards should have all organic matter removed and then sterilized with 70%

ethanol or 1% virkon.

Addition guidance can be found in G268 – CLEAPSS Dissection: a guide to safe practice

Personnel Involved: Biology Teaching Staff, Science Technicians, Students. Assignment: Anatomy of Herbivorous Digestive System.

Procedure: Dissection Demonstration of whole, Unpreserved, Rabbit. Chemical or procedure

Hazard A Likelihood

1,2,3

B Severity

1,2,3

Risk Factor A x B

Strategy To Reduce Risk

Opening of abdominal cavity.

Sharp instruments: risk of cuts.

1 1 1 Training in use of instruments.

Removal of digestive system.

1. Sharp instruments: risk of cuts.

2. Aerosol formation. 3. Bacteria. 4. Blood.

1 1 1 1. Training in use of instruments.

2. Wear Safety Goggles 3. Tie cut ends of

digestive system. Wear gloves and goggles.

4. Wear goggles and gloves. Use dissection boards and cover bench in plastic sheeting.

Risk Assessment

Technicins - Disposal of Rabbit Remains and Sterilization of

Work Surfaces, Dissection Boards & Instruments.

3 Tyrone R.L. John, Chartered Biologist

Rabbit Orientation, Incision lines & Gut Anatomy

Incision Lines

Orientation

Gut Anatomy

4 Tyrone R.L. John, Chartered Biologist

Structure Description and Notes

The Rabbit is pinned to the dissection board by the limbs in a supine position. The ventral surfce is facing up.

The skin is cut open with scissors and dissected away from the peritoneum. The skin is pinned so will not obstruct further dissection. A – Head B – Tail C – Peritoneum and abdominal contents D - Chest

The peritoneum is cut open with scissors to reveal the intestines, liver and stomach. The rib cage is also cut open. A – Stomach B – Liver C – Ceacum D – Ileum E – Ribcage

Dissection Pictures

5 Tyrone R.L. John, Chartered Biologist

The location of the heart, stomach and oesophagus. A – Heart B – Oesophagus C – Stomach D – Ribcage

Rectum to show feacal pellets. Rectum leads to the anus. A – Stomach B – Kidney C – Rectum (containing feacal pellets) D - Position of anus E - Ileum

Caecum (A) and rectum (B).

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Full digestive system laid out. The length of the digestive system was measured as 240cm. A - Stomach B to B - Ileum C to C - Caecum D to D - Colon E to E - Rectum F - Anus

Stomach contents (A). Partially digested grass is observed having a matted consistancy. ileum (B).

7 Tyrone R.L. John, Chartered Biologist

The length of a rabbit body is 30cm, the length of its digestive system is 240cm. The length

of the body of an african lion is 200cm (not including the tail), the length of its digestive

system is 800cm. Herbivors have longer digestive systems than carnivores.

i. Explain why herbivors have longer digestive systems than carnivors.

ii. Using the data above, explain how the lenghts of the herbivore and carnivore digestive

systems can be compared.

Questions/Activities

8 Tyrone R.L. John, Chartered Biologist

Statement of animal welfare from Northampton Reptile

Centre