Scientists Finally Solve the Mystery of Snake Pee — And It Could Help Humans Too

Posted by Nabirong

Most of us picture urine as a liquid, but many reptiles—snakes and some birds—solve the waste problem in a very different way. Instead of flushing nitrogen out with water, these animals turn it into dry, white solids called urates. A new chemical study shows those solids are not random dust but organized microscopic crystals, and the way reptiles form them helps explain both survival in dry places and possible lessons for human health. (Gizmodo)

Scientists analyzed urates collected from more than 20 reptile species using high-precision methods such as X-ray diffraction and high-resolution microscopy. The team found that reptiles assemble uric acid into tiny spherical aggregates — “microspheres” — made of nanocrystals. In some species those microspheres are excreted directly; in others the crystals are reused internally to react with toxic ammonia and turn it into a less harmful solid before removal. These findings reveal a flexible, species-specific toolkit for managing nitrogen without losing water. (Phys.org)

Why does this matter? For reptiles living in arid or water-limited habitats, converting waste to solids is a powerful water-saving adaptation. Rather than paying the water cost of liquid urine, these animals package nitrogen into compact, stable particles that don’t demand flushing. That evolutionary trade-off helps explain the variety of urate textures people have observed—from dusty granules to rock-hard pellets. (The Scientist).

Beyond natural history, the chemistry of reptile urates offers a surprising biomedical angle. In humans, excess uric acid causes painful conditions such as gout and contributes to kidney stones. By understanding how reptiles safely assemble and excrete crystalline uric acid, researchers hope to uncover biomimetic ideas that could inspire new strategies to control uric-acid accumulation in people. The authors stress this is an early step — translating the biology into treatments will require much more work — but the discovery opens a promising line of inquiry. (ScienceDaily).

Key takeaways: snakes and many reptiles excrete nitrogen as solid urates; those urates are structured microspheres of uric-acid nanocrystals; the strategy conserves water and neutralizes toxic by-products; and studying this system may one day inform treatments for uric-acid-related human diseases. (Gizmodo).

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Snake Pee — English Quiz (CSS spacing)

Snake Pee — English Quiz

Quiz based on "Scientists Finally Reveal How Snakes Pee" — questions separated from answers, options spaced with CSS.

Questions

No.	Question
1	What did the researchers discover about how snakes excrete waste? a) They release liquid urine like mammals b) They form solid uric acid crystals (urates) c) They excrete waste through the skin d) They store urine internally
2	Why do many reptiles produce solid urates instead of liquid urine? a) To attract mates b) To conserve water in dry habitats c) To make their skin harder d) To digest food faster
3	Which analytical methods did researchers use to study urates? a) X-ray diffraction and high-resolution microscopy b) DNA sequencing and blood tests c) Thermal imaging d) Standard photography
4	What is a "microsphere" as described in the study? a) A rock-like chunk b) A spherical aggregate of uric-acid nanocrystals c) A blood cell d) A water droplet
5	Which toxic compound do reptiles neutralize when forming urates? a) Carbon dioxide b) Ammonia c) Oxygen d) Lactic acid
6	How might this research be relevant to human health? a) It immediately cures gout b) It could inspire new approaches to gout and kidney stone research c) It shows humans excrete the same way d) It proves urates are edible
7	True or False: Snakes excrete liquid urine like mammals. a) True b) False
8	True or False: Producing solid urates reduces water loss for reptiles. a) True b) False
9	Vocabulary match — choose the letter: 9. Uric acid 10. Urate 11. Arid 12. Microsphere a) Very dry / lacking water b) The solid form of nitrogen waste c) A chemical produced when protein breaks down d) A tiny spherical crystal structure
13	Short answer: In 1–2 sentences, explain why forming solid urates helps reptiles survive in dry environments.
14	Short answer: Name one human health condition connected to high uric acid.
15	Bonus (writing): Write one sentence about what this study teaches us about evolution or adaptation.

Answers & Explanations

No.	Answer & Explanation
1	b) They form solid uric acid crystals (urates) Researchers found reptiles package nitrogen waste into solid uric-acid crystals rather than flushing it with water.
2	b) To conserve water in dry habitats Solid urates reduce the need to lose water as liquid urine, helping survival in arid environments.
3	a) X-ray diffraction and high-resolution microscopy These techniques revealed the nanocrystal and microsphere structure of urates.
4	b) A spherical aggregate of uric-acid nanocrystals Microspheres are tiny spherical clusters of nanocrystals found in the urate samples.
5	b) Ammonia Reptiles neutralize toxic ammonia by reacting it into solid particles during urate formation.
6	b) It could inspire new approaches to gout and kidney stone research Understanding reptile uric-acid handling may suggest biomimetic strategies for human uric-acid conditions; practical application requires more research.
7	b) False Snakes typically excrete solid urates, not liquid urine like most mammals.
8	a) True Producing solid urates reduces water loss, which helps reptiles in arid habitats.
9	Vocabulary answers: 9 (Uric acid) — c) A chemical produced when protein breaks down. 10 (Urate) — b) The solid form of nitrogen waste. 11 (Arid) — a) Very dry / lacking water. 12 (Microsphere) — d) A tiny spherical crystal structure.
13	Sample short answer: Forming solid urates reduces water loss because reptiles don’t need to flush nitrogenous waste with liquid urine, allowing them to survive in dry environments.
14	Sample short answer: Gout (or kidney stones) — both are linked to high uric acid in humans.
15	Sample bonus response: The study shows evolution finds efficient solutions to survival challenges—here, waste management evolved to save water and neutralize toxins.