Why have ruminants developed the habit of chewing the cud ? Why cannot we digest cellulose??
Dear student,
Ruminants chew their cud again to break it down even more as plant materials on which they feed are more complex and raw which takes more time to be broken down and digest. As during taking in food, they are in danger of getting hunted, they eat at faster rate and as much as possible which does not give them enough time to chew their food . So, their food gets stored in a part of their stomach until the animal finds a safe place to eat. Then the animal brings up the food or cud to chew.
Ruminants chew their cud again to break it down even more as plant materials on which they feed are more complex and raw which takes more time to be broken down and digest. As during taking in food, they are in danger of getting hunted, they eat at faster rate and as much as possible which does not give them enough time to chew their food . So, their food gets stored in a part of their stomach until the animal finds a safe place to eat. Then the animal brings up the food or cud to chew.
We cannot digest cellulose as our body lacks the enzyme which are required for the digestion of cellulose.
Regards