British Columbia CORE Hunting Practice Exam

What is the term for an animal that has a four-chambered stomach and possesses the ability to forage and later chew its food?

1. Ungulate

2. Ruminant

3. Herbivore

4. Carnivore

The correct answer is: Ruminant

The term for an animal that has a four-chambered stomach and the ability to forage and later chew its food is "ruminant." Ruminants are specifically adapted to break down fibrous plant materials through a specialized digestive process that includes initial consumption of food, followed by regurgitation and re-chewing—often referred to as "cud." This process allows them to efficiently extract nutrients from tough vegetation. Ruminants, such as cows, sheep, and deer, possess a unique digestive system that includes the rumen, reticulum, omasum, and abomasum, which all work together to facilitate the breakdown of plant materials. This adaptation is essential for their survival as they primarily consume plant-based diets, which require more complex digestion. While ungulates are a broader category of animals that includes all hoofed mammals (some of which are ruminants), the defining characteristic of a ruminant is specifically the four-chambered stomach and the chewing process involved. Herbivores is a more general term that refers to any animal that primarily eats plants, while carnivores are animals that primarily consume flesh. Therefore, "ruminant" is the most accurate and specific term for what the question describes.