Most animals are tightly connected with microbes. Microbes live in their intestines, in their mouths, and on their skin. Microbes are important for the health of most animals. Since many animals have more microbial cells living in or on them than they have animal cells, it looks like animals evolved as homes for microbes.
Animals supply microbes with food and shelter. You could say that animals throw a continuous party for microbes. That is why animals are called “hosts” for microbes. Often when people think about microbes and animals, they think of disease. However, most microbes do animals more good than harm. Since we can’t see them when they are being good, we only notice when microbes are bad and cause disease. Here is your chance to see how microbes assist us and other animals.