| Deer are ruminant animals which means they | | | | microorganisms that live in its stomach to break |
| have a four chambered stomach similar to cattle. | | | | down the fibers, cellulose, and other basic plant |
| A fascinating characteristic about the ruminant's | | | | components, and convert them into materials that |
| stomach is that it allows the animal to gather a lot | | | | can be used by the deer's digestive system. Over |
| of food at once and then chew and digest it later. | | | | 40 percent of a deer's energy is derived from |
| The four chambered stomach is needed to | | | | the acids absorbed through the walls of its first |
| process the large amounts of low nutrient food | | | | stomach. |
| that deer eat in order to get the most benefit | | | | After the deer has filled its first stomach, it will lie |
| possible.Depending on the type and abundance of | | | | down to chew its cud, like cattle do. After |
| food, the deer can fill its stomach in about one or | | | | chewing its cud to further break down the food |
| two hours of grazing. When a deer eats, food is | | | | materials, the deer re-swallows the food. It then |
| chewed just enough to swallow and store it in the | | | | passes into the second chamber of the stomach. |
| first stomach chamber. | | | | The food material then passes on to the third and |
| The deer has a four section stomach similar to | | | | forth stomach sections for more digestion and |
| that of cattle. The food goes into the first | | | | absorption of nutrients. The food material then |
| chamber which acts as a fermentation vat. Most | | | | goes through the intestines and everything that |
| of the digestion occurs in this area of the | | | | isn't digested is passed as waste or "deer |
| stomach. Deer depend on billions of | | | | droppings". |