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Home » Diets that Work » Microbes Matter: Meet the Small but Mighty Microbiomes – Smithsonian’s National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute

Smithsonian scientists have found that the gut microbiomes of black rhinos in human care are very different than the gut microbiomes of wild rhinos, in part due to differences in their diets. Wild rhinos had more bacteria that help break down the complex plant fibers of wild plants. The gut microbiomes of zoo rhinos were better able to digest starchy foods. This is just one example of how scientists and zoo nutritionists can work together to understand and create diverse diets for zoo animals that provide the right foods and nutrients to maintain healthy, balanced gut microbiomes.

Microbiomes are also some animals best defenders! The vast majority of bacteria found in animal microbiomes are beneficial, but occasionally some not-so-nice bacteria come along and cause an animal to get sick. Just like stomach bugs in people, some bacterial infections in animals' guts can be pretty nasty. Good bacteria can often fight off the bad ones, but sometimes they need help.

Smithsonian scientists are already applying this concept to find out if skin microbes in frogs and salamanders can help fight off the deadly chytrid fungus. And this idea could help other animals too. For example, scientists are investigating whether microbes found in one species of Hawaiian honeycreeper (the amakihi) help it to survive introduced avian malaria, and whether these microbes would also protect the many other honeycreeper species for which this introduced disease is deadly.

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Microbes Matter: Meet the Small but Mighty Microbiomes - Smithsonian's National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute

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Home » Diets that Work » Microbes Matter: Meet the Small but Mighty Microbiomes – Smithsonian’s National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute