Which type of animal can degrade fiber and use it for a main source of energy?

Ruminants are specialized herbivores that possess a unique digestive system, allowing them to efficiently break down fibrous plant materials. They have a multi-chambered stomach, typically consisting of the rumen, reticulum, omasum, and abomasum, which allows them to ferment and degrade fiber through the action of microbial populations. This fermentation process is crucial because it converts cellulose and other complex carbohydrates found in plants into volatile fatty acids, which ruminants can then use as a primary energy source.

This ability to digest and utilize fiber is essential for their survival, as their diet primarily consists of grasses and other plant materials high in fiber. The symbiotic relationship between ruminants and their gut microbes enables these animals to extract maximum nutrients from otherwise indigestible sources. In contrast, other types of animals, such as carnivores and omnivores, do not rely on fiber degradation for energy, as their diets are composed of primarily meat and, in the case of omnivores, a mix of plant and animal matter.