Ruminants (such as cattle, sheep, and deer) possess multiple stomach compartments, giving their digestive systems unique characteristics. They rely on microorganisms in the rumen to break down carbohydrates that monogastric animals cannot digest—such as cellulose—thereby extracting energy from plant-based fibers. This efficient utilization of fibrous plant material results from the synergistic function of the ruminant's compartmentalized stomach and its microbial community.