Tag: Animal milk composition

While many assume cow's milk is the protein standard, studies show sheep's milk can have a protein content as high as 5.15%. This difference highlights how the nutritional composition of milk varies dramatically between species, influenced by factors such as a mammal's size, environment, and the needs of its young.

Lactose is the primary carbohydrate in most mammalian milk, and it is crucial for infant development across many species. However, the belief that all animal milks contain lactose is not entirely accurate, as lactose concentration varies considerably across species due to adaptations tied to a mammal's life history and ecological niche. Some unique animal milks have very low or even negligible amounts of this milk sugar.

With more than 60% fat, the milk of the hooded seal far surpasses any dairy product available for human consumption. While that Arctic mammal holds the record, the question of what is the fattiest type of milk available commercially has a different answer, revealing fascinating variations across species and climates.