Which type of animals have a large cecum that aids in digestion?

The correct choice, which describes ruminants such as rabbits, horses, and rodents, highlights the significant role of the cecum in their digestive processes. These animals are characterized by their need to break down plant material, which is often tough and fibrous. The cecum serves as a fermentation chamber where microorganisms help digest cellulose, allowing these animals to extract maximum nutrients from their plant-based diets.

Rabbits and some rodents, for example, are known to practice coprophagy, where they ingest their own feces to further digest food that has already passed through the digestive system. This process is facilitated by the presence of a large cecum.

In contrast, carnivorous animals have comparatively smaller ceca, as their diets are primarily protein-based and do not require extensive fermentation. Similarly, omnivorous animals have a more versatile digestive system, but still do not typically have ceca as large or as essential for digestion as those found in ruminants. Predatory mammals also rely on a meat-based diet that requires a much simpler digestive process, again resulting in smaller ceca. Thus, the distinctive structure and function of the cecum in ruminants underline its importance in their ability to thrive on high-fiber