39 How do dragons create fire?

Goal

Predict the gastrointestinal structure of a fire-breathing dragon

Learning objectives

• Contrast herbivore and carnivore GI tracts
• Explain the difference between hindgut and foregut fermenters and how the two types vary in their use of nutrients
• Draw, depict and/or explain a reasonable GI tract for dragon,  based on your knowledge of a dragon’s diet and the different GI tracts found in other species

Review material

Use class/course or the resources below to learn about the main structure and function of animal digestive tracts. In your reading, consider how fermentation differs from pancreatic enzyme digestion:

• Energy and growth
• Monogastric digestion
• Digestion-related anatomy
• Fermentation

Activities

Take this quiz to check your understanding.

Think through dragon digestive system needs!

Now decide what you believe and create a visual of dragon GI anatomy.

You can draw your own dragon, create a bot-assisted dragon and/or use whatever media you prefer or is requested by your instructor.

You can download these dragon outlines to use.

Knowledge check

Share your dragon story and drawing with another student.