Researchers have discovered that the ringed caecilian, a legless, egg-laying amphibian from Brazil, secretes a milk-like substance from its rear end to feed its hatchlings. This discovery marks the first known instance of an amphibian exhibiting such behavior, challenging the previously held belief that only mammals nurse their young. The substance, rich in lipids, is produced from the amphibian's rear end, providing essential nourishment to the newly hatched young. These findings offer new insights into the species' parental care and communication, as the young stimulate their mother by touch and sound to release the milk-like secretion. Additionally, it was noted that these baby amphibians chirp like birds to beg for milk from their mothers and let them eat their skin, adding unique aspects to their feeding behavior.
Mother’s milk isn’t just for mammals. Caecilians are amphibians, and at least one species feeds its hatchlings with a kind of “milk” created in its reproductive tract. https://t.co/MZNknOnBXt
Young of limbless amphibians called ringed caecilians stimulate their mother by touch and sound to release a milklike substance https://t.co/kEi4dE9bJ8
An egg-laying amphibian found in Brazil nourishes its newly hatched young with a fatty, milk-like substance https://t.co/PMveH1G9mn
These Amphibians Feed Their Offspring "Milk" From Their Behinds And Let Them Eat Their Skin https://t.co/aV4AjtaIS8
A new study reveals that an egg-laying species of worm-like amphibian nourishes its young with a lipid-rich, milk-like substance. The findings report previously unobserved behavior and offer new insight into the species’ parental care and communication. https://t.co/TP5XwNmNfw https://t.co/FZWfwr6y0G
These baby amphibians chirp like birds to beg for milk from their mothers. We had a debate at work about whether these caecilians are adorable or hideous (I say cute but am in the minority) https://t.co/oSUQaKfi9d on @sciam
Mammals aren’t the only animals that nurse their young. Cockroaches, spiders, and some fish and birds feed their offspring a milklike liquid. Now, researchers have discovered the first amphibian that does so. https://t.co/a47DZfxls7
These legless, egg-laying amphibians secrete 'milk' from their butts https://t.co/OxyUTBAD5x
The ringed caecilian, an egg-laying, legless amphibian from South America, secretes a kind of milk from its rear end to feed its tiny hatchlings. https://t.co/2lOwYfs6Vx
Me: What sound does a baby crocodile make? ChatGPT: The noise a baby crocodile makes is a "hiss." Me: Really? ChatGPT: I apologize for the confusion. The noise a baby crocodile makes is typically referred to as a "chirp" or a "whine." They may also produce soft grunting… https://t.co/HoZpXlQULZ