What is the name of the class of animals that have a stomach with more than one compartment?

The class of animals that have a stomach with more than one compartment is called ruminants. Ruminants possess a specialized digestive system that includes a complex stomach structure, typically divided into four compartments: the rumen, reticulum, omasum, and abomasum. This multi-chambered stomach allows ruminants to efficiently break down fibrous plant material through a process of fermentation.

This adaptation is particularly beneficial for these animals, as they primarily consume tough plant materials like grass and hay. The fermentation process, aided by a diverse microbial population in the rumen, helps them extract necessary nutrients that would otherwise be difficult to digest.

In contrast, monogastric animals have a single-chambered stomach, which cannot effectively process high-fiber diets. Herbivores can include both ruminants and monogastrics depending on their digestive system, while carnivores, which primarily eat meat, usually also have monogastric stomachs. Thus, the term ruminant specifically identifies animals with multi-compartment stomachs, making it the appropriate answer.