Hey there, adventure lovers! 🏔️ Have you ever wondered how animals survive in the toughest places on Earth? Imagine living on a super high mountain where it’s really cold and there’s not much air. Sounds hard, right?
Well, meet the amazing deer 🦌 living on the Qinghai-Xizang Plateau, also known as the “roof of the world”! It’s one of the highest places on our planet, with an average altitude over 4,000 meters (that’s over 13,000 feet!).
Scientists have discovered that these deer have tiny helpers inside their bellies called gut microbiota. 🦠 But what are gut microbiota? They’re tiny microorganisms, like bacteria, that live in the stomach and help digest food.
In a new study, researchers found that these gut microbiota play a super important role in helping the deer survive in such extreme conditions. 🏔️❄️ They help the deer get energy from the food they eat and adapt to the cold and low oxygen levels.
How cool is that? The tiny microbes help the deer stay strong and healthy, even when it’s freezing and the air is thin!
This discovery is exciting because it helps us understand how animals can live in harsh environments, and it might even help us learn more about our own gut microbiota and health! 💡
So next time you think about deer, remember they’re not just cute—they’re super survivors with tiny gut helpers! 🦌❤️🦠
Reference(s):
Role of gut microbiome for cervids on Qinghai-Xizang Plateau uncovered
cgtn.com
