Huh. So it's part of the stalk. New mutation to make it easier for kos to fall of the stalk? If they can open their mouth to speak, they can handle being off the stalk. Gets them used to eating quicker. Looks adorable.
Limited usefulness then, wouldn't that be? I'd figure that yukkuris on the stalk can't do much more than sway slightly or make faces up until they're ready to drop.
@Three: Some artist have the babies capable of talking nearing birth. Plus, you figure that once the stalk falls and they have their first meal, those pacifiers would still be there for the little ones to use...
Danger doesn't apply in the latter case and since we don't see whats under (I've seen them use bedding either) we can't say that there isn't protection or that there is anything to indicate that protection would not be there.