How do pelagic sea snakes like *H. platurus* primarily satisfy their hydration requirements without drinking seawater?
Answer
They rely on drinking fresh rainwater that pools on the ocean surface.
Water balance is a crucial component of survival for this strictly pelagic species. Despite previous scientific hypotheses suggesting the presence and function of a salt gland in the lower jaw for excreting ingested salt, current understanding confirms that these snakes do not consume seawater. Instead, their source of hydration is freshwater, which they obtain by drinking droplets or lenses of rainwater that naturally accumulate and float momentarily on the ocean's surface. This dependence makes them vulnerable to dehydration, reportedly allowing them to survive periods lasting up to seven months without access to fresh water during dry spells.
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