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If they do, why can't we find Ms. Mimi's belly button?
While most mammals, including humans, have umbilical cords, not all animals have them. For instance, marsupials, such as kangaroos and koalas, do not have umbilical cords. Instead, their offspring are born at a very early stage of development and finish developing in the mother's pouch.
Animals without umbilical cords have different ways of receiving nutrients and oxygen in the womb. Some, like marsupials, have a yolk sac that provides nourishment. Others, like reptiles and birds, have a placenta that transfers nutrients and oxygen from the mother to the developing embryo.
No, the function of umbilical cords varies among different animal species. In mammals, the umbilical cord connects the developing embryo to the placenta, which provides nutrients and oxygen from the mother's blood. In other animals, such as reptiles and birds, the umbilical cord may serve as a means of waste removal.
While it is rare, there are some animals that may have multiple umbilical cords. For example, some species of sharks have been known to have two umbilical cords, one for each embryo in the womb. Additionally, some animals, like alpacas, may have a single umbilical cord that splits into two as it reaches the placenta.
In most cases, the umbilical cord is cut and tied after the baby is born. In animals, the umbilical cord may detach naturally or be chewed off by the mother. In some cases, the mother may eat the placenta and umbilical cord, which provides nutrients and hormones that can aid in postpartum recovery.