Marsupials are a group of mammals that can grow their lungs after birth.
Marsupials and Lung Development
Marsupials, unlike placental mammals (eutherians), are born at a very early stage of development. This means many of their organs, including the lungs, are not fully formed at birth. Instead, much of their development occurs postnatally, within the mother's pouch.
- Immature at Birth: Marsupials are born after a relatively short gestation period.
- Postnatal Lung Development: Lung development, crucial for survival, primarily happens after birth, inside the pouch.
- Examples: Kangaroos, opossums, and koalas are examples of marsupials. They complete much of their organ development, including lung maturation, during this pouch-dwelling phase.
The environment within the pouch provides a stable and nurturing environment for the young marsupial to complete its development. This includes the critical process of lung maturation necessary for efficient respiration and survival outside the womb.
