Which lizards absorb water rather than drinking it

[Chameleoking]

Ever wonder how animals adapt to the lack of water in the scorching desert?

While some animals have developed ways of extracting water from the food they eat, or reducing water lost through evaporation, desert dwelling lizards don't drink water at all; they absorb it through their skin.

Scientists have always suspected that lizards absorb water much like their amphibious neighbors. However, unlike an amphibian's moist skin, dry lizard skin is designed to both keep water in and out.

This perplexed researchers, prompting a study in which they began to notice that when the lizards got wet, they would raise their bodies and lower their heads. They hypothesized that the lizards were somehow using gravity to channel the water down towards their mouths.

Using high-powered microscopes to examine the skin and scales of the lizards, researchers found that two species, the Australian horny devil and the Texas horned, have networks of tiny tube-like channels beneath their scales, which cover their entire body. These tubes funnel water across the body and into the corners of the lizard's mouth, where it is then swallowed.

Just think of the complex system as a network of straws helping the lizard to get a drink.

 

[Chameleoking]

Desert lizard can sip water from sand through its feet and back​

 

[Chameleoking]

Species: Thorny devil (Moloch horridus)

Habitat: Arid deserts and scrublands of Australia

What devilry is this? The thorny devil lizard uses its entire skin as a web of drinking straws to soak up water from soggy sand.
This allows it to drink with its feet and skin, which comes in handy in a desert – especially to a lizard with a mouth structure so specialised for eating ants that it cannot drink water directly.

“Thorny devils are one of the most fascinating species that collect and transport water with their skin,” says Philipp Comanns of RWTH Aachen University in Germany.

Comanns and his team examined six thorny devils (Moloch horridus) from Mount Gibson, Western Australia, in the lab to figure out where they get their water from.

When the researchers placed them in a water puddle, the lizards could drink through their feet: they started opening and closing their mouths within 10 seconds, as their skin channelled water from their feet into their mouths.

“But rain or water puddles rarely occur in their habitat,” says Comanns.

Dew does naturally form in deserts, though, as the temperature drops in the evening. Yet the team found that natural condensation or morning dew that formed on the lizards’ bodies could not provide enough water for them to drink. It did, however, make their skin “superhydrophilic” and ready to soak up water faster from moist sand.

His team found that only 59 per cent of the lizards’ drinking straws were saturated when the animals stood in the wettest sand. So drinking from soaked sand through the feet was not the whole story, either.

Finally, when the researchers placed moist sand on replicas of the skin, the straws fully filled with water.

In nature, these lizards often cover their backs with moist sand, which might allow them to absorb more water than by simply standing in the sand. “Damp sand from dew appears to be a major water source for thorny lizards,” Comanns says.

So how exactly does it drink?

Soaking it up​

The thorny devil’s skin is covered in microscopic grooves between their overlapping scales, creating a network of drinking straws. These can take up water from any part of the body through capillary action, whereby water is drawn along a channel, even against the pull of gravity.

The water then travels directly to the lizard’s mouth ready for drinking.

Only when their web of straws is completely filled with water – making up about 3 per cent of their body mass – do these spiky reptiles drink. When they do this, they stand stock-still while rhythmically opening and closing their mouths up to 2500 times an hour.

Other animals, such as Woodhouse’s toad, the file snake, and African and Asian elephants, can also hold water in their skins. However, they lack the ability to transport water towards their mouths. “These animals rather take up the water across their permeable skin,” says Comanns.

Understanding the water-collection mechanism in thorny devils could help conserve them, and might inspire technologies for gathering fresh water in deserts.

“Maybe there will be some sort of water-harvesting machines for deserts in the future,” he says.

Comanns has already used the way that the skin of Texas horned lizards funnel water towards their mouths in one direction as a model to create designs for useful products.

“We have been able to develop designs that could be applied in hygiene products or lubrication in car engines, based on how the skin of Texas horned lizards transports water,” he says. The design even won him and a team of collaborators an award last month

 

[Chameleoking]

Bearded dragons are fascinating reptiles and among the best to have for a pet and companion. Like most reptiles, ensuring hydration can be tricky if you are uneducated on the different ways that reptiles take in and store water.

If you own bearded dragons or are in the market for your very first one, you have probably come across the advice of misting or submerging their bodies for hydration during your experience and/or research. This is amazing advice and a very helpful practice in maintaining the health and well-being of your bearded dragon.

There tends to be a bit of confusion when it comes to how this practice is beneficial to a bearded dragon, especially when it comes to hydration. So, why is it a common practice at all? What does it mean?

Can bearded dragons really absorb water through their skin?

Since they are desert lizards, bearded dragons have many innovative ways to stay hydrated but a number of theories and a certain amount of confusion revolves around whether or not they absorb water through their skin.

In short, no, bearded dragons don’t actually absorb water through their skin. This myth has derived from the innovative techniques that bearded dragons have for hydration, including water droplet storage and taking in water through their vent.

The vent is the opening from which a bearded dragon will urinate and defecate; the vent is located on the underside of your bearded dragon near the base of its tail.

Bearded dragons are native to the dry and warm climate of beautiful Australia and are considered desert reptiles. Even though they are found naturally in a desert climate, water and hydration are a vital part of any animal’s diet and health.

Bearded dragons have developed many unique ways to stay hydrated despite their relatively dry habitat and these unique methods are used by your pet bearded dragon as well. Bearded dragons can obtain proper hydration through misting, drinking from a bowl, eating their veggies, and soaking in a warm pool of water.

For the sake of this article we will only be discussing how bearded dragons take in water through their vent and why soaking is so important, why it is common to mist their skin, and the most important and easiest way for bearded dragons to consume water; which have all led to the misconception that bearded dragons absorb water through their skin. So, let’s sit back, relax, and dive into the interesting world of water absorption for the interesting and innovative bearded dragon.

Summary of today’s article:​

• How does my bearded dragon absorb water if not through their skin?
• Final thoughts

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How Does My Bearded Dragon Absorb Water If Not Through Their Skin?​

Method 1: Hydration Through Soaking​

It is common knowledge to place your bearded dragon in a warm pool of water to promote hydration, but why? Bearded dragons have a vent on their underside near the base of their tail that they urinate and defecate from, but this vent can also be used for taking in water if they need to, which is part of the reason for the myth that bearded dragons can absorb water through their skin.

Giving your bearded dragon a bath at least once a week should already be part of your routine, especially if you don’t offer your bearded dragon a fresh pool of water each day. Regular baths and soaks are an essential way for bearded dragons to maintain hydration either by mouth or by vent, and allows for the skin to stay moisturized which aids in appearance and shedding capabilities.

Not only do regular baths and soaks allow for proper hydration techniques but also helps keep them clean of any bacteria which is a crucial part in maintaining their health. If you are ever concerned that your bearded dragon is not consuming enough water and could be dehydrated, try offering more frequent baths or a soaking dish filled with fresh water daily.

Frequent baths and soaks give your bearded dragon more of an opportunity to get a few drinks of water. If you happen to notice that your bearded dragon is staying hydrated but hasn’t been getting drinks of water, he or she is more than likely absorbing water through their vent instead; not all bearded dragons prefer drinking which is another reason why bearded dragons have so many unique ways of staying hydrated.

Soaking and baths also encourages defecation, if you notice your bearded dragon has not relieved their bowels in some time then it might be a good idea to give them a good soak in some warm water.

If you are giving your bearded dragon and they have relieved themselves in the water, remove your bearded dragon immediately, same goes for if you offer a soaking water dish for your bearded dragon be sure to fill with fresh water every day and to immediately clean the dish if your beardie has defecated in it.

Method 2: Hydration Through Misting​

In the wild, bearded dragons will often take advantage of rain fall to aid in hydration using the same techniques your pet bearded dragon will use when you mist their body with water. So how are they staying hydrated with misting if they are unable to absorb water through their skin?

One method is for your bearded dragon to catch or lap up any water drops that run down their face. Just like in nature, bearded dragons will tip their heads forward during rain fall or a good misting to allow water droplets to roll down their face to their mouths to get a drink.

The second method bearded dragons will use is to take advantage of the raised ridges and bumps along its back and use them to store water. If the bearded dragon becomes dehydrated or requires a drink, they will then tilt their entire body up and forward to allow the water to run down its body towards its head and ultimately to their mouths.

This method is more common in wild bearded dragons as it is used as a survival technique to combat dehydration in the desert, but your pet bearded dragon may partake in this interesting ritual from time to time as well considering some bearded dragons prefer to not drink from water dishes or bowls. If you feel uncomfortable giving your bearded dragon a soaking dish then you can most certainly mist their bodies once a day to aid in hydration.

This practice of misting water on to your bearded dragon’s body is what has led to the idea that bearded dragons can absorb water through their skin, while that would definitely be an interesting technique; it isn’t the case for bearded dragons. If you are misting your bearded dragon, be sure to mist their bodies with warm water, not cold.

Method 3: Hydration Through Food Consumption​

Probably the most important method for your bearded dragon to absorb water and to remain hydrated is through their food. Maintaining a balanced diet for your bearded dragon is not only necessary for their protein and vitamins but for their hydration as well.

The different types of fruit of vegetable that you can offer your bearded dragon contain a certain amount of moisture that will assist your bearded dragon in staying properly hydrated. If you believe that you should be doing more for your bearded dragon’s hydration then you can also mist the fruits and vegetables before serving them to your bearded dragon.

This process will add moisture and allow for your bearded dragon to hydrate just by eating their meal. It is also important to remove any food from your bearded dragon’s enclosure after meal time as the heat from their lamps will cause the fruits and vegetables to dry out and shrivel up.

As we discussed above, not all bearded dragons are keen on the idea of drinking from a water dish and that will require you to get sneaky and crafty in your hydration techniques.

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Final Thoughts:​

Ensuring your bearded dragon is achieving the most appropriate level of hydration on a daily basis can be an interesting series of trial and error. Not all bearded dragons prefer to take in water in the same ways.

Some will prefer a water dish for drinking, some might prefer a good soak, and some would rather you just mist them and call it a day. Hydration is a top priority in ensuring the health and well-being of any animal, as it also is for your bearded dragon.

Reptiles may require less water than that of other animals but they still require a certain amount to survive and lead a healthy life. Dehydration can be just as dangerous for your bearded dragon as it can be for you and can develop quite quickly.

Bearded dragons may be natives of arid and rocky regions such as the desert outback of Australia and they may have evolved over the years to be able to survive extended periods with water, but this does not mean that they do not need water and that it is not vital for their survival. If you are ever concerned your bearded dragon has become dehydrated, contact your local herp vet for any answers and tips in maintaining the proper hydration levels for your beloved beardie.

 

[Chameleoking]

Do chameleons absorb water through skin?

Most species of chameleons are arboreal; they live mainly in trees and bushes. Their skulls are designed to have dew and rainwater run down to their mouths and they lap water droplets from leaves. ... To be absolutely clear, chameleons do not absorb water through their skin at all.

 

[Lindasjackson]

I thought the horny toads that live in the deserts of California did absorb water through their feet and drew it up onto their body or something like that.

 

[ERKleRose]

It is common knowledge to place your bearded dragon in a warm pool of water to promote hydration, but why? Bearded dragons have a vent on their underside near the base of their tail that they urinate and defecate from, but this vent can also be used for taking in water if they need to, which is part of the reason for the myth that bearded dragons can absorb water through their skin.

Bearded dragons actually don't absorb anything through their vent

 

[Chameleoking]

Bearded dragons actually don't absorb anything through their vent

I've seen things both ways on this. What is definitely fact is that beardies do absorb some water through their vent. My understanding of this is that it comes into play the most during brumation in the wild. A burrowed beardie slowly absorbs water from the ground during the brumation season.

However, with that said, my personal experience says otherwise. Especially for a dragon that refuses greens at all times (dammit Max), a bath is really the only reliable way to get any additional water into their systems. Furthermore, some beardies just will not defecate otherwise. Again, I know that I am only speaking from the perspective of a single beardie, but Max tends to have hard urates no matter what I do, and will hold it for a bath for a week or more (I've tested this out).

I also want to point out one small point - as a desert animal, a mL of water or less can go a long way. They do not squander the water they have, and have evolved to be extremely efficient with whatever water they do have.

To me, the bottom line is that it may be true that baths do little for hydration, but I think the risk of electrolyte imbalance and premature evacuation are somewhat alarmist for no particularly good reason. I just find it hard to believe that that poses a real risk. Anyways, point is, experiment with it. going a week or two without a bath is certainly not going to kill an adult beardie, and it should become pretty apparent over that time frame whether the baths do or do not help the particular animal(s) that you are observing.

 

[ERKleRose]

I've seen things both ways on this. What is definitely fact is that beardies do absorb some water through their vent.

It's been proven they can't multiple times. Here's a clip on it:

 

[kinyonga]

I was just going to post that @ERKleRose !

 

[kinyonga]

Horned toads...
https://cosmosmagazine.com/biology/how-texas-horned-lizard-harvests-water-its-skin/

 

[Chameleoking]

It's been proven they can't multiple times. Here's a clip on it:

I was just going to post that @ERKleRose !

Yes I see what your saying. But through brumation I believe they can absorb some from damp sand. Of course they won't when they have water to drink. I believe its another survival method that isn't clearly and thoroughly studied yet. There is a lot that we don't know or understand still. That is one reason I included brumation. Just my thought and opinion on it. Thanks Erkle and kinyonga for your knowledge

 

[Chameleoking]

Horned toads...
https://cosmosmagazine.com/biology/how-texas-horned-lizard-harvests-water-its-skin/

That is so cool. Amazing animals they are

 

[Chameleoking]

I thought the horny toads that live in the deserts of California did absorb water through their feet and drew it up onto their body or something like that.

Pretty cool stuff

 

[Klyde O'Scope]

I was just going to post that @ERKleRose !

So was I. Bearded dragons DO NOT absorb water through their cloacas OR their skin.

IANAL, but FWIW, copying an article or study without providing credit or linking to its source is called copyright infringement.

I've seen things both ways on this. What is definitely fact is that beardies do absorb some water through their vent. My understanding of this is that it comes into play the most during brumation in the wild. A burrowed beardie slowly absorbs water from the ground during the brumation season.

However, with that said, my personal experience says otherwise. Especially for a dragon that refuses greens at all times (dammit Max), a bath is really the only reliable way to get any additional water into their systems. Furthermore, some beardies just will not defecate otherwise. Again, I know that I am only speaking from the perspective of a single beardie, but Max tends to have hard urates no matter what I do, and will hold it for a bath for a week or more (I've tested this out).

I also want to point out one small point - as a desert animal, a mL of water or less can go a long way. They do not squander the water they have, and have evolved to be extremely efficient with whatever water they do have.

To me, the bottom line is that it may be true that baths do little for hydration, but I think the risk of electrolyte imbalance and premature evacuation are somewhat alarmist for no particularly good reason. I just find it hard to believe that that poses a real risk. Anyways, point is, experiment with it. going a week or two without a bath is certainly not going to kill an adult beardie, and it should become pretty apparent over that time frame whether the baths do or do not help the particular animal(s) that you are observing.

Unless you are Merlyn923 and wrote it 7 years ago, the above response you copied from Reddit—represented as your own—is called plagiarism.

Yes I see what your saying. But through brumation I believe they can absorb some from damp sand.

You're entitled to your own beliefs/opinions; you're not entitled to your own facts.

And if you are Merlyn923, in that same Reddit thread, you wrote:

merlyn923 7y

Max
Not quite. Beardies do not absorb water through their skin. No reptile does. To me, that calls into question your vet's expertise a bit.

So which is it?

I have a beardie who has never drunk water his entire life, nor did he magically absorb any during brumation. He brumated for four months on a piece of ceramic tile impervious to water.

 

[Chameleoking]

Bla bla

So was I. Bearded dragons DO NOT absorb water through their cloacas OR their skin.

IANAL, but FWIW, copying an article or study without providing credit or linking to its source is called copyright infringement.



Unless you are Merlyn923 and wrote it 7 years ago, the above response you copied from Reddit—represented as your own—is called plagiarism.


You're entitled to your own beliefs/opinions; you're not entitled to your own facts.

And if you are Merlyn923, in that same Reddit thread, you wrote:

So which is it?

I have a beardie who has never drunk water his entire life, nor did he magically absorb any during brumation. He brumated for four months on a piece of ceramic tile impervious to water.

Bla bla bla

 

[Lindasjackson]

Okay, no fighting!!

 

[suprdude]

I had a dart frog for 11 years and he got all his water through his skin