Hey kids! Have you ever wondered why birds can munch on super sour fruits without making a funny face? 😝 Well, Chinese scientists have just uncovered the secret!
A team of researchers from the Chinese Academy of Sciences discovered that songbirds have a special mutation in a gene called OTOP1. This tiny change helps them tolerate sour tastes, so they can enjoy acidic fruits that might make us pucker up!
But that’s not all! The scientists also found that birds’ ability to handle sour foods is linked to how they taste sweetness. This cool combo means birds can find and eat all kinds of fruits, helping them survive and spread to new places.
They’ve called this the “songbird sour-sweet co-evolution” hypothesis. It’s like birds got a superpower upgrade to enjoy both sour and sweet foods! 🐦🍉
This discovery not only explains why birds don’t mind sour snacks but also shows how animals can adapt to their environments in amazing ways.
Isn’t science fascinating? Maybe next time you see a bird nibbling on a berry, you’ll know a bit more about their secret taste buds! 🧐
Reference(s):
cgtn.com
