Why might a sudden shift to a high-moisture diet be problematic for a jerboa?
Answer
Their system is optimized for extracting water from low-moisture seeds and might struggle with the new energy-to-water ratio.
An animal whose system is finely tuned to extract every molecule of water from low-moisture, high-energy seeds might struggle to process a new diet lacking that specific energy-to-water ratio.
Related Questions
How do jerboas obtain the moisture required for survival?What process releases the vital fluid that sustains a jerboa internally?What is the primary function of the jerboa's highly adapted renal system?What role do extensive burrow systems play in the jerboa's water conservation strategy?When are jerboas primarily active outside of their burrows?To which biological family do jerboas belong?Why might a sudden shift to a high-moisture diet be problematic for a jerboa?What is the primary function of the jerboa's distinctly long hind legs?Across which major geographical regions are different species of jerboas distributed?Besides efficient kidneys and diet, what other physiological mechanism helps mitigate water loss in jerboas?