why do humans need to eat many different kind of foods to get their vitamins etc but large animals like cows only need grass to survive?

Question

why do humans need to eat many different kind of foods to get their vitamins etc but large animals like cows only need grass to survive?

In: Biology

Answer 1

Ruminants like cows are able to extract more nutrients from vegetation than we are, due to their specially adapted digestive system and gut flora.

Ruminants ferment food in their four-chambered stomach over an extended period, which enables their gut bacteria to break down complex carbohydrates, proteins, fiber, which in turn synthesize their own nutrients that the host can absorb.

Additionally, ruminants will consume animal bones in order to obtain phosphate and calcium if they’re not able to obtain it elsewhere in their diet.