Pseudoruminant
Pseudoruminant is a classification of animal based on its digestive tract differing from the ruminants. Hippopotamidae (comprising hippopotami) are ungulate mammals with a three-chambered stomach (ruminants have a four-chambered stomach).[1]
Anatomy
Like ruminants, they use foregut fermentation to break down cellulose in fibrous plant species. But in contrast to these, pseudoruminants have a three-chambered stomach, the chambers being called C1, C2, and C3.
Species
| Pseudoruminant | Image | Class | Weight |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hippopotamus |  |
Hippopotamus | 1.5 to 3.5 tonnes |
See also
References
- ↑ Fowler, M.E. (2010). "Medicine and Surgery of Camelids", Ames, Iowa: Wiley-Blackwell. Chapter 1 General Biology and Evolution addresses the fact that camelids (including llamas and camels) are not ruminants, pseudo-ruminants, or modified ruminants.