desert mammal that doesn't drink water?

Answer 1

There are many mammals that are able to survive although they never drink free-standing (or running) water. Almost all mammals that are able to do this are small (less than 100gm) desert dwelling mammals. While they do not drink water they do need it to survive, instead of drinking water they obtain all there water from their food. For granivorous mammals (which most small mammals in the USA are) they obtain enough water from the seeds that they eat (they may look like dry seeds but plants actually put a lot of moisture into their seeds in order to give them the best chance of survival. For insectivorous mammals (which many of the small marsupials that live in Australia are) they gain enough water from the insects that they eat. If you have every squashed a bug or a beetle you will know that they are quite juicy!
That said, many of these animals will drink free-standing water if it is offered to them (i.e. in captivity), however they are capable of surviving their whole lives without drinking.
If you would like a specific example of one of these animals:
The Fat-tailed Dunnart (Sminthopsis crassicaudata) is a small (10 - 20g) Australian marsupial (it has a pouch) that eats insects and does not require free water to live.

Answer 2

Kangaroo rats (genus Dipodomys) are unique mammals in that they do not store water in their bodies like other mammals. They have the unique ability to produce water metabolically from the seeds that they eat. In addition, they don't sweat or pant, another adaptation for water conservation in an arid and extreme environment like the desert. They are also able to excrete waste with little water output. They have a behavioural adaptation for water conservation as well; they are nocturnal (active at night) when temperatures have cooled down. During the day they remain in their burrows where it is cool and moist.
By the way, snakes DO drink water and they are definitely NOT mammals.

Answer 3

Desert Mammal

Answer 4

I don't think I've ever seen a snake drink water. Although a snake would like to find a moist or wet environment, because it would be cooler, I don't think they actually drink the water. But no living creature could survive without water. I suspect their water intake comes through the juices of the other animals they eat. But is a snake a mammal? Hmm...

Answer 5

Kangaroo rats, genus Dipodomys, are small rodents native to North America. They rarely drink water, instead, they have a highly water-efficient metabolism (their kidneys are at least four times more efficient at retaining water and excreting salt than those of humans), and manufacture water through a metabolic process called oxidative phosphorylation. They get water from the humidity in the things they eat too, but too little. The most part of the water they need comes from the chemical reactions of their metabolism.

Answer 6

the kangaroo rat is found in some of the hottest and desert regions of the south western united states. it only eats dry seeds and never drink waters

Answer 7

All mamals drink water. Some desert mamals can go a long time without drinking any water, but they still have to drink water or else they will die.

Answer 8

If you're talking about camels, they drink lots of water. They just store it in that hump so they can go long distances before refilling.

Answer 9

He's right...kangaroo rat.