The notion that animals have multiple stomachs is a common misconception. In reality, all animals have just one stomach, although the anatomy of the stomach can vary among species.
For example, ruminant animals such as cows, goats, and sheep are known for their ability to “chew their cud,” which refers to regurgitating and re-chewing partially digested food.
This behavior is made possible by the fact that ruminant stomachs are divided into four parts that perform different functions in the digestive process.
The first part of the ruminant stomach is the rumen, which serves as a large fermentation chamber where food is mixed with microbes to break down complex sugars into simpler forms that can be absorbed by the animal’s body.
The second part is the reticulum, where partially digested food is stored. The third part is the omasum, which absorbs water and minerals from the partially digested food. And finally, the fourth part is the abomasum, which is the true stomach of the animal, where digestive enzymes break down food into usable nutrients.
It is important to note that ruminants are the only type of animals with a stomach that is divided into multiple parts. All other animals, including humans, have a single stomach that performs all the necessary functions of digestion. There are no known species of animals with seven stomachs.