Which term describes an animal with a three-chambered stomach?

The term that accurately describes an animal with a three-chambered stomach is "pseudo-ruminant." Pseudo-ruminants, such as llamas and alpacas, possess a stomach that is divided into three compartments, which enables them to efficiently digest fibrous plant material. This structure allows for fermentation processes similar to those seen in true ruminants, which have a four-chambered stomach, but differs in the number of compartments and certain digestive processes.

Understanding this concept involves recognizing how different animals are adapted to their diets through variations in stomach structure. Ruminants have a greater digestive capacity for fibrous foods due to their additional stomach compartment, while monogastric animals, which have a single-chamber stomach, rely on simpler digestive processes. The term "complex" is not commonly used specifically to describe stomach structures in veterinary science or animal biology, leading to potential confusion.

Thus, "pseudo-ruminant" correctly indicates the three-chambered stomach adaptation that facilitates specialized digestion in certain herbivorous species.