Caecilians are amphibians that look superficially like very large earthworms. New research suggests that at least one species of caecilian also produces"milk" for its hatchlings.The creature, known as a caecilian, lives underground. Researchers believe that the animal developed the ability to produce a milk-like substance independently of mammals, who are universally known for feeding milk to their young.
"I really don't agree that they are disgusting," says Marta Antoniazzi, a biologist at the Instituto Butantan, in Sao Paulo, Brazil. Brazil is home to lots of caecilians and Antoniazzi is a fan.. Mothers of this species give birth to broods of wriggly babies who then proceed to eat their own mother's skin off."Once a week, they can eat her skin," says Pedro Luiz Mailho-Fontana, a researcher at the Insituto Butantan who was involved in the study.
Marvalee Wake, a professor of integrative biology at the University of California at Berkeley, who was not involved with the study, says that this species of caecilian has evolved to deal with a similar problem faced by human babies. Just like humans, the little ones are born long before they can fend for themselves. They're vulnerable. And in order to help them grow, while keeping them close, their mother has developed a milk-ish fluid.
For Antoniazzi, caecilians are a wonderful reminder that very different animals, like puppies and underground worm-amphibians, can share a lot in common.
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