sex, drugs, and baby koalas

摘要

In 2015, I went to Australia to collect koala poo, which can teach us about their complex microbiome. Bacteria in their guts break down toxic tannins in the eucalyptus leaves they eat. We think one reason the babies eat their moms' poo is to acquire microbes that will give their own system toxin-degrading powers. But I wanted to know for sure.