Which class of animals is known to have a stomach with four compartments?

Ruminants are a class of animals that possess a specialized stomach structure consisting of four compartments: the rumen, reticulum, omasum, and abomasum. This unique anatomy allows ruminants to efficiently digest fibrous plant materials through a process called fermentation. In the rumen, microbial populations break down complex carbohydrates, enabling these animals to extract nutrients from tough plant sources that non-ruminants may struggle to digest.

The four compartments work together to facilitate this complex digestive process. After consuming food, it first enters the rumen, where it is stored and fermented. It then moves to the reticulum, where it can be regurgitated as "cud" for further chewing. This process enhances the breakdown of cellulose. Next, the material passes to the omasum for absorption of water and nutrients, and finally enters the abomasum, which functions similarly to a monogastric stomach with gastric juices to digest the food further.

In contrast, equines have a single-chambered stomach and rely on a large cecum for fermenting fibrous materials, while monogastric animals, like pigs and humans, have a simple single-chambered stomach designed for a different type of diet. Omniv