Animals fight antibiotic-resistant bugs

Fourteen genes were identified in the tammar wallaby genome that were were expressed in the mammary gland during early lactation before the adaptive immune system of the young develops, as well as in the skin of the pouch. These peptides were effective in killing a broad range of bacterial pathogens. One potent peptide, expressed in the early stages of tammar lactation, effectively killed multidrug-resistant clinical isolates of Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Klebsiella pneumoniae and Acinetobacter baumannii. Source


Rainy days are the best time for seeing kangaroos and wallabys, although I did see a couple at dusk as well.


I was amazed at the relative size of the joeys that would leap headfirst into their mother's pouch. They were so big that they couldn't even get their legs inside. At first, They reminded me of parents pushing children that are at least 4-5 years old around in strollers...and primary school children being pushed around in shopping carts.

Then I discovered there is a practical reason for this indulgence in the wallaby mom; as long as there is a joey in the pouch, an already fertilized embryo doesn't start to develop.

How cute Pat...she is looking at you so intently she looks almost human; in fact I'm sure that's a smile on her face. ☺ It looks like the joey left his tail out this time. Interesting information about the constituents of the mother's milk. I guess it has to be a bit special as the babies are so much smaller and dependent at birth than other classes of mammals.
Excellent shot from your archives.
Kath for TMT

Hi Pat
This is an great shot of the mom and joey as they make eye contact with you. It looks like a flash went off considering the catchlight in her eyes.
Phil

Hi Pat,

first I was just taken in by the cuteness of the shot, but reading your informative note, it also brought up some particular thoughts and memories.

The photo is wonderful. That wallaby and the joey look like they're posing just for you! And in the b/g, there are a whole bunch seeming to be having lots of fun. What a wonderful feeling you captured here!

Ah, the benefits of mother's milk. Recently, there has been a lot of discussions regarding the serious threat that measles pose to both children and adults. The public health sector is trying to raise awareness and encourage more people to vaccinate their children. But a measles vaccine can't be given before the baby is 10 months old (at least that's the law in Germany) and the disease is most dangerous when the baby gets it before that age. Seems like a risky situation... BUT... if the mother carries the measles antibodies, she can pass them on by breastfeeding. Even if she only breastfeeds for a few weeks, the baby will have the antibodies for the first year. Amazing, isn't it, how nature has it all figured out?

Great post, my friend! Hugs,
Linda

Hi Pat!
Very good capture presenting the mom and its cute baby. I like the eyes contact with you!
Best regards,
Zeca

What a wonderful eye contact between you an the animal, Pat. A moment between mothers :)
So cute to learn she indulges her babies in the heat of her pouch.
Also it´s noticeable there is a lot of happy activity behind her.
Excellent informative note.
I myself breast fed my youngest until he was 3 years old and it´s amazing: he hardly ever gets a cold and only once a sore throat (thanks god!).
Excellent content and discussion.
TFS!