A ruminant is a type of mammal that has a four-chambered stomach and chews cud. These animals belong to the order Artiodactyla and include cattle, sheep, goats, deer, and giraffes. Ruminants have a unique digestive system that allows them to efficiently break down and extract nutrients from plant material. They have a specialized stomach called the rumen, where fermentation of ingested food takes place. The partially digested food, known as cud, is regurgitated and further chewed to increase its surface area for better digestion. Ruminants play an essential role in the ecosystem as they are herbivores that help maintain grasslands and contribute to nutrient cycling through their waste.
