What term describes the behavior of eating feces in animals?

The behavior of eating feces in animals is known as coprophagia. This term is derived from the Greek words "kopros" meaning feces and "phagein" meaning to eat. Coprophagia can be observed in various animal species and may occur for several reasons, including nutritional deficiencies, instinctual behavior in certain animals, or even a response to stress or anxiety. Understanding this behavior is essential for veterinary assistants, as it can indicate potential health issues that may require addressing.

In contrast, malnutrition refers to the inadequate intake of nutrients essential for health, which may not necessarily involve the consumption of feces. Foraging is a term that describes the act of searching for and gathering food, a natural behavior but not specifically related to eating feces. Overeating involves consuming more food than necessary, but this does not involve feces and is not the same as coprophagia. Thus, coprophagia is the most accurate term to describe the behavior of eating feces.