Baby sea lions have a lot of a special oil called squalene in their first poop—way more than in their blood—which might help protect their guts from damage or help good bacteria grow.

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Evidence from Studies

Supporting (1)

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Sea Lions Develop Human-like Vernix Caseosa Delivering Branched Fats and Squalene to the GI Tract

Case-Control Study

Animal

2018 May 10

Sea lion babies, like human babies, have a waxy coating that they swallow before birth, which brings squalene into their guts—just like scientists thought only humans did. This supports the idea that squalene is intentionally kept in the gut for possible health benefits.

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No contradicting evidence found

Source Study

Sea Lions Develop Human-like Vernix Caseosa Delivering Branched Fats and Squalene to the GI Tract

Score: 10

DOI: 10.1038/s41598-018-25871-1

Similar Assertions

As baby sea lions grow in the womb, the special waxy coating on their skin builds up in a pattern that’s almost exactly like how it builds up in human babies—peaking near birth.

71%

Baby sea lions are born with a waxy coating on their skin that they swallow before birth, and this coating has special fats and oils that are also found in human babies—maybe to help their guts grow healthy bacteria.

70%