How does cellulose get digested in ruminants?

In ruminants, cellulose digestion begins in the rumen, where microbial populations break down cellulose into simpler sugars through fermentation. These microbes produce enzymes, such as cellulases, that help degrade the cellulose structure. The resulting volatile fatty acids are then absorbed through the rumen wall and serve as a primary energy source for the animal. The process continues in the other stomach chambers, where further microbial fermentation occurs, enhancing nutrient absorption.