Ruminants

Ruminants are mammals that have a specialized stomach with four compartments: the rumen, reticulum, omasum, and abomasum. They are capable of digesting fibrous plant material, like grasses and hay, through a process involving fermentation in the rumen. This fermentation is carried out by microbes, which break down tough plant fibers into nutrients the animal can absorb. Ruminants include animals like cattle, sheep, goats, and deer. Their unique stomach structure allows them to efficiently extract energy from plant-based diets that many other animals cannot digest as effectively.