"Unusual Appetites: Amphibian Offspring Devour Mother's Skin"

Caecilians, legless amphibians, have been found to pass on their microbiomes to their offspring through a unique behavior called skin-feeding. Baby caecilians scrape off their mother's dead skin and consume it, allowing the transfer of microbiomes and potentially inoculating their immune systems. This is the first known instance of microbiome transmission among amphibians. Caecilians have evolved sophisticated parenting strategies, such as giving birth to fully-formed offspring or donating an outer layer of skin to their newly hatched young. However, many questions remain unanswered about this behavior and its implications for caecilians and other amphibians.