What are ruminants? Why are they special?

Question

What are ruminants? Why are they special?

Answer 1

Ruminants are the mammals, which have a specific chambered stomach, for the digestion of plant based food.

The stomach of ruminants has four compartments: the rumen, reticulum, omasum and abomasum.

Animal's first stomach, known as the rumen, regurgitates the semi-digested mass, now known as cud, and chewing it again. The process of again chewing the cud to further break down plant matter and stimulate digestion is called "ruminating".

they are special, as:

1. their stomach is chambered, unlike any other group of mammals, adapted to digest the plant-based food by initially softening it within it.

2. the food is regurgitated, and chewed second time.

hope that helps!!

Answer 2

A ruminant, is a mammal that digests plant-based food. Its special because it initially softens the plant within the animal's first stomach, the rumen, then brings the half digested food, now known as cud, up and chews it again.