Ruminant

usgb/ˈruːmɪnənt/
noun

An animal that chews the cud, like cows, sheep, or giraffes.

Cows are a type of ruminant because they ingest food and chew it again later to help digest it.
Visual representation of "ruminant" - An animal that chews the cud, like cows, sheep, or giraffes.

Often appears as...

  • large ruminant
  • domestic ruminant

Usage tips

Technical

Definition 1 of 2
Visual representation of "ruminant"
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Animal Classification

Ruminants are mainly herbivores and part of a classification system based on digestion.

Illustration for Animal Classification
Biologists study ruminants to understand how certain animals process plant material.
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Multistep Eating

Ruminants eat their food in stages which includes regurgitating and rechewing their food.

Illustration for Multistep Eating
The process ruminants use is necessary to break down tough plant fibers.
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Distinguished Feature

The term distinguishes these animals from others that digest food in one go.

Illustration for Distinguished Feature
Unlike ruminants, horses do not chew cud and have a different digestive system.
Visual representation of the word "Ruminant"

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