Nature & Environment
Sea Snakes Survive on Fresh Water Alone
Kathleen Lees
First Posted: Mar 21, 2014 01:56 PM EDT
Every living creature thrives on water as part of their daily life to survive. And though most animals prefer fresh water to salt, some sea creatures may choose salt water resources over others.
However, a recent study shows that sea snakes have a preference for fresh water sources, alone.
"These snakes refuse to drink salt water, even when dehydrated," said University of Florida professor Harvey Lillywhite, via a press release. " They need fresh water to survive."
Though modern physiology textbooks state that marine reptiles drink sea water, distilling the water by excreting surplus amounts through their salt glands, University of Michigan researchers found that these creatures carry a salt gland under the tongue that can secrete salt taken in from the water.
Even then, however, Lillywhite notes that no sea snakes they tested actually drink sea water.
In fact, a three-year study showed that Yellow-bellied Sea Snakes typically only drink when fresh water is available-something that depends on rainfall.
Fortunately, researchers found that these creatures can consume up to varying amounts of water. For example, findings showed that the Yellow-bellied Sea Snake can take in up to 25 percent of its body mass if the fresh water is available.
More information regarding the findings can be seen via the journal Proceedings of the Royal Society B.
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First Posted: Mar 21, 2014 01:56 PM EDT
Every living creature thrives on water as part of their daily life to survive. And though most animals prefer fresh water to salt, some sea creatures may choose salt water resources over others.
However, a recent study shows that sea snakes have a preference for fresh water sources, alone.
"These snakes refuse to drink salt water, even when dehydrated," said University of Florida professor Harvey Lillywhite, via a press release. " They need fresh water to survive."
Though modern physiology textbooks state that marine reptiles drink sea water, distilling the water by excreting surplus amounts through their salt glands, University of Michigan researchers found that these creatures carry a salt gland under the tongue that can secrete salt taken in from the water.
Even then, however, Lillywhite notes that no sea snakes they tested actually drink sea water.
In fact, a three-year study showed that Yellow-bellied Sea Snakes typically only drink when fresh water is available-something that depends on rainfall.
Fortunately, researchers found that these creatures can consume up to varying amounts of water. For example, findings showed that the Yellow-bellied Sea Snake can take in up to 25 percent of its body mass if the fresh water is available.
More information regarding the findings can be seen via the journal Proceedings of the Royal Society B.
See Now: NASA's Juno Spacecraft's Rendezvous With Jupiter's Mammoth Cyclone