Question

Explain the process of digestion in ruminants.

Answer 1

The stomach of a ruminant is divided into four chambers. As soon as the ruminant swallows the food, it enters the first chamber called rumen where it gets partially digested (converted to cud). From here, the food enters the second chamber from where it again reaches the mouth for rumination (which is the process of chewing the cud). The food is again swallowed, after which it enters the third and the fourth chamber for digestion. From here, it enters the small intestine for the absorption of nutrients.