What percentage of necessary oxygen can *Hydrophis platurus* absorb directly from the water via cutaneous gas exchange?
Answer
Up to 33% of its necessary oxygen
This snake possesses a significant physiological adaptation to prolong underwater dives, supplementing its lung respiration through cutaneous gas exchange. Its skin is densely supplied with blood vessels, allowing it to absorb a substantial amount of its required oxygen directly from the surrounding water. The specified capacity for this process is quite high, reaching as much as 33% of the oxygen needed for survival, which contributes to enabling dives lasting several hours, typically between 1.5 to 3.5 hours depending on activity and ambient temperature.
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