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Reptiles' Solid Waste Adaptation Reveals Water Conservation Secrets

10/22/2025

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Summary

Story summary

A study in the Journal of the American Chemical Society finds that reptiles excrete nitrogenous waste as solid urates, not urine.
Researchers analyzed samples from more than 20 reptile species, including ball pythons, and found urates as microspheres of uric acid nanocrystals.
This adaptation helps reptiles conserve water in arid environments.
The findings may inform gout or kidney stone treatments, and uric acid may play protective roles in both reptiles and humans.

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Story summary

A study in the Journal of the American Chemical Society finds that reptiles excrete nitrogenous waste as solid urates, not urine.
Researchers analyzed samples from more than 20 reptile species, including ball pythons, and found urates as microspheres of uric acid nanocrystals.
This adaptation helps reptiles conserve water in arid environments.
The findings may inform gout or kidney stone treatments, and uric acid may play protective roles in both reptiles and humans.