Mammals, including humans, are the only animals that have a belly button. A belly button, which is also known as a navel, is the small scar that is left after the umbilical cord that attaches the fetus to the placenta is cut during childbirth.
While some mammals, such as humans, have an “innie” with an indentation on the surface of the skin, others such as cats and dogs have an “outie” which is a raised bump on the surface of the skin. Apart from mammals, no other animals have a belly button.
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Why do humans have belly buttons but animals don t?
Humans have belly buttons because they are a remnant of the umbilical cord, a vital link that existed between a mother and her baby in the womb. During a baby’s development, the umbilical cord is the lifeline that provides oxygen and nourishment from the mother to her baby.
The umbilical cord attaches to the baby at one end and to the mother at the other end. Once the baby is born, the umbilical cord is cut, leaving behind the belly button, which is why it is referred to as the navel.
Animals, on the other hand, are born differently. Many animals go through egg incubation or give birth with their young being born fully-formed and able to stand and walk on their own. They don’t have an umbilical cord, so they don’t have a navel.
Additionally, some animals, like reptiles and many fishes, hatch from eggs, while others, like birds, hatch from their eggs with an egg tooth that induces a slit in the eggshell that the animal uses to get out.
Since they do not rely on a umbilical cord to be nourished, they don’t have a need for a navel.
How do monkeys cut the umbilical cord?
Monkeys have the same birthing process as humans do, which includes having an umbilical cord that needs to be cut. When a monkey gives birth, the umbilical cord is typically cut by the mother monkey herself.
Some species of monkey, such as rhesus macaques, have been observed using their teeth to bite the umbilical cord in order to sever it. Other primates like chimpanzees have been observed using their sharp claws to snag and pull apart the umbilical cord.
If both of these methods are not an option, the mother monkey may enlist the help of another family member or a fellow monkey to cut the umbilical cord. Monkeys have been known to use pieces of a broken branch to act as scissors, while others use their mouth to chew off the umbilical cord.
Some species of monkeys may even resort to razor-like leaves or sharp stones to cut their umbilical cord.
What happens to a monkey’s umbilical cord?
A monkey’s umbilical cord is much like humans’ in terms of its purpose and the process of its formation and disappearance. It provides nutrition to the monkey and is formed during gestation in their mother’s uterus.
The umbilical cord usually consists of two arteries and one vein, similar to a human’s umbilical cord.
Once the baby monkey is born, the umbilical cord is cut and tied off, just as it is with humans. This procedure, known as clamping or tying off the cord, prevents the loss of too much blood in the mother or the newborn.
After the umbilical cord is cut, it is no longer necessary and the organ begins to dry up, shrivel, and turn black- known as necrosis. Over a few days, the umbilical cord will slowly weaken and fall off the monkey’s body.
This is the start of the cord restructuring and the umbilical area eventually becomes the recognizable belly button!.
Is Cutting umbilical cord painful?
No, cutting the umbilical cord should not be painful. This is because the umbilical cord is made up of a soft tissue-like material called Wharton’s Jelly that acts as a cushion between the baby and the placenta, and it contains no nerves or pain receptors.
After the baby is born and the umbilical cord is clamped and cut, the baby’s body quickly absorbs the nutrient-rich blood remaining in the umbilical cord and within one to two hours, the pulsations of the cord will cease and the umbilical cord will begin to dry up.
After this point is reached, the umbilical cord will become a simple piece of dried and detached tissue to which the baby will have no connection. Therefore, cutting the umbilical cord should not cause the baby any pain or discomfort.
Why do monkeys eat the placenta?
It is unclear why monkeys eat placenta, but there is some speculation regarding its purpose. Some scientists believe that eating the placenta serves as a way for mothers to reduce the risk of predation, as eating the placenta makes the mother and her newborn more difficult for predators to identify.
Additionally, the placenta contains nutrients and hormones that are beneficial to the monkey. For example, placenta contains oxytocin, the hormone that helps monkeys to bond, which can be beneficial to them, especially while they are in a vulnerable state shortly after having a baby.
Some also believe that eating the placenta can be beneficial in helping a monkey to forget the stressful experience of having just given birth, and that this allows a mother to quickly return to normal activities.
Whether or not this is true, the practice of eating placenta is a long-standing tradition among many species of monkeys, and it appears to have many potential benefits.
How long can a baby survive attached to the umbilical cord?
A baby can typically survive for around 5-10 minutes detached from the umbilical cord. This time varies depending on the oxygen supply and the health of the baby. Immediately after birth, a neonatologist or midwife typically cuts the umbilical cord and clamps it to stop the flow of blood, removing the baby from the umbilical cord shortly thereafter.
After the umbilical is cut, the baby begins to rely on its own breathing. In some cases, a delayed cord clamping technique is used, which is known to help the baby receive additional oxygen and nutrients from the cord.
It also helps to build a baby’s immune system and has been shown to be beneficial to the overall health of the baby. Not all hospitals use this technique, however, so it is important to discuss delayed cord clamping with your doctor in order to learn more about the technique and what is available at your hospital.
How many stomachs does a gorilla have?
A gorilla has one stomach, like most mammals. The digestive tract of a gorilla is similar to humans in that it includes the same organs in the same order. The stomach is a large, muscular organ that stores and breaks down food that is consumed.
It is located below the diaphragm, just above the small intestine. The stomach functions as a food reservoir as well as a digestive organ, mixing food with acids and enzymes and breaking it down into energy.
After digestion begins in the stomach, food passes through the small intestine where absorption of nutrients takes place, then empties into the large intestine before exiting the body.
How does a gorilla poop?
Like humans, gorillas do not show any particular preference in terms of where they poop. Gorillas will typically look for a spot that is private and secluded, away from the group. Gorillas will dig a shallow hole in the ground and position themselves to squat over it and evacuate their bowels.
Once finished, gorillas will cover up their waste with leaves and dirt in order to keep their living area clean. Gorillas usually poop at least once a day and usually consume a lot of fibrous plant material, so their resulting excretion can be relatively large.
Additionally, gorillas may use their hands to help the process along, much like humans use toilet paper for wiping after toileting.
