Some types of snakes easily survive in dry deserts. But how do they do it?
Source:
the Texas rattlesnake is representative poisonous snakes.
On our planet is inhabited by a huge number of animals, and one of the most interesting . According to the year 2017 scientists have known about the existence of 3631 species of these reptilian creatures. They differ from each other in length, degree of toxicity and the way of life that depends on their habitats. It is especially difficult for inhabitants of arid deserts, because it is extremely difficult to get the life water. But some snake species are able to accumulate fluid in your body and a very long time to lie in wait for another victim. What are the snakes in question and how they collect the supply of water?
One of the species of snakes that have the ability to retain water in your body, lives in the Sonoran desert. The region between the U.S. and Mexico is one of the most arid on the planet, so the water in this area has especially great value. In this regard, certain types of local snakes like the Texas rattlesnake in the course of evolution, have mastered a very unusual way of collecting and conserving water. In the rain they are outdoors and substitute your body under the falling rain drops. Water particles stick to them back and subsequently snakes can lick the moisture right off your body.
the Sonoran Desert is one of the driest places in the world
snakes live in the desert?
The Snake collect the water in the scales and lick it when thirsty. Sounds quite logical and understandable, but a scientist was always curious why water droplets do not roll off from the snake's body and saved her a very long time. The inhabitants of Sonora like Royal snakes (Lampropeltis) the droplets are rapidly leached from the body. Are the scales of these reptiles are so much different?
According to the scientific journal found that strong differences really are. After studying the scales of Texas rattle snakes under a microscope, the scientists found that it consists of tiny channels with width of 100 nm and a depth of about 300 nanometers. The combination of these channels forms a complex labyrinth, which gives the skin a snake hydrophilic properties of the material. That means getting on the scales, the water literally soaks into it and the snakes the opportunity to drink it when you want.
Scales the Texas rattlesnake under the microscope
According to the authors of scientific work, this feature of the body helps snakes hunt and survive in harsh conditions. It is known that Texas rattle snakes are very sedentary lifestyle and don't have particularly great physical strength and endurance. Because of this, they are a long time in an inactive state in anticipation of potential victims, and spend the energy only to pounce on the unsuspecting animal. Of course, during these long snakes ambush thirsty — here is what they typed out of water.
In General, snakes are very fascinating creatures to study. Here is did you know that the ancient ancestors of these creatures were able to walk on his feet. The skull of one of them was recently found in Argentina and about it can be read in .
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