Chinese soft-shelled turtles pass waste through their mouths, scientists in Singapore have found.
Biologists were puzzled by the turtle's behaviour because, despite using its lungs to breathe air, it often submerges its head in water.
By testing the water, they found that the reptile was excreting urea through its mouth instead of its kidneys.
The discovery adds to previous research, which suggested the turtles have highly specialised mouth tissues.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/nature/19883278
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Turtle passes waste urea through its mouth
Started by
Still Waters
, Oct 11 2012 03:48 PM
turtles chinese soft-shelled mouth
5 replies to this topic
#1
Still Waters
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Posted 11 October 2012 - 03:48 PM
#2
Taun
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Posted 11 October 2012 - 03:53 PM
No wonder you never see turtles kissing...
#3
ShadowOfMothman
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Posted 11 October 2012 - 08:33 PM
That's gross... but the turtles seem to have no problem, have they?
Edited by ShadowOfMothman, 11 October 2012 - 08:33 PM.
#4
WoIverine
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Posted 11 October 2012 - 08:35 PM
Talk about a **** eating grin, eh? Gross.
#5
Yamato
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Posted 12 October 2012 - 05:16 AM
Everything you need to know about my politics, wrapped up in a song:
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#6
Hilander
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Posted 14 October 2012 - 12:02 AM
Gross, makes something want to come out of my mouth.
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