The animal world never ceases to amaze: a mysterious amphibian that breastfeeds its young but has no legs is at the center of a new discovery
Imagine a world where the most unusual creatures care for their young in ways that defy our knowledge. In this world, a group of scientists has made a truly mind-blowing discovery. It’s a mystery amphibian which, despite the lack of legs and the appearance of an earthworm, nursing its young. This behavior, previously attributed only to mammals and birds, has been observed in Ceciliaenigmatic creatures native to the tropical regions of Central and South America. The discovery of this amphibian breastfeeding its young is living proof that nature never ceases to amaze, revealing animal behaviors that we still do not fully understand. It’s a reminder that life on Earth is full of hidden wonders, waiting to be discovered and appreciated.
Amphibian, a discovery that allows us to understand this class of animals
These amphibians, often blind and similar to snakes or earthwormshave surprised the scientific world with their incredible maternal dedication. Females of Siphonops annulatus, a species widespread in South America, allow their young to feed on their skin, a phenomenon known as maternal dermatophagia. But there are also other amazing things. The researchers found that these mothers also produce a “milk” rich in fatsimilar to that of primitive mammals such as the platypus and the echidna.
This milk, secreted by specialized glands and sucked by the young, represents an extraordinary evolution of reproductive strategies in vertebrates. In Brazil, scholars have observed that caecilian babies feed on this milk for over two months, emitting high-pitched calls to stimulate the mother. This type of breastfeeding not only nourishes, but also helps develop the microbiome and the children’s immune system, just like in mammals. For amphibians, often overlooked, this discovery opens new doors to understanding their secret and surprising lives parental care skills.
Continue reading techgameworld.com so you don’t miss the latest science-themed content, but not only that. Follow all the updates!