When we think about animals that don’t drink water, camels often come to mind first because they can go without water for several days. However, camels still need water, unlike some animals that don’t need water at all.
In this article, we’ll share with you creatures that don’t consume water because they either get it through their diet, skin, or special body processes, so let’s dive right in!
1. Freshwater Fish
Freshwater fish along with freshwater tank cleaners require waters with a lower salt content than their bodies.
Through a process called osmosis, water naturally flows into their bodies through their skin and gills. The gills of freshwater fish have specialized cells called ionocytes that help regulate the salt and water in their bodies, while their kidneys excrete the excess water.
That’s something fish owners shouldn’t worry about when maintaining a well-balanced freshwater tank.
2. Mountain Gorillas
Just like Proboscis monkeys, mountain gorillas have a diet rich in water. They live in the rainforests of central Africa and consume leaves, stems, roots, flowers, and fruits that contain high water content.
Occasionally, they may lick morning dew off leaves or drink from puddles if the weather is super hot. However, climate change is causing more extreme weather, which is why even gorillas drink water more often than before.
3. Marine Mammals
Some of the most endangered marine species like whales, dolphins, and seals don’t drink seawater. Instead, they get their water as a byproduct from the fish and other marine organisms they eat.
Interestingly enough, these creatures have efficient kidneys that can handle the salt content in their food but not in seawater, and they’re some of the most intelligent marine animals.
4. Koalas
Koalas follow a strict eucalyptus diet, and eucalyptus leaves contain a lot of water, so they absorb their water through their food. These Australian-native animals also lick the water off leaves during rain.
However, rising temperatures and droughts make koalas drink water more often than before. This proves that these animals can adapt to changing environmental conditions, but they’re still at risk of extinction because of habitat loss.
Note: While adorable, koalas have a dangerous side. They carry chlamydia, which they can pass to humans, and they have sharp teeth and claws, so it’s best to observe them from afar.
5. Frogs
Frogs instead of drinking water absorb it through their skin. They have special areas on their bellies and thighs called drinking patches that absorb water.
Some species, like the Australian green tree frog gather water on their skin through condensation. This method, known as “lemonade physics,” keeps them hydrated even in dry environments.
Interesting: While they share some features and behaviors, toads and frogs aren’t the same amphibians.
6. Kangaroo Rats
Kangaroo rats live in arid deserts, so they can survive without drinking water.
However, they still get water from the seeds they eat. Their kidneys efficiently conserve water and minimize water loss by producing highly concentrated urine.
The metabolism of these animals can actually convert dry seeds into water, which is why they can thrive in some of the driest habitats on Earth.
7. Thorny Devils
Thorny devils can draw water from sand through their skin. They’re one of the animals with the best camouflage and their bodies have tiny grooves that channel water from any moist sand they touch directly to their mouths. That’s how these unique lizards stay hydrated in extremely dry conditions.
8. Naked Mole Rats
There’s no ugly animal in my book, but I must admit that naked mole rats look strange. These unique-looking animals live underground and consume roots and tubers, which contain water. Their diet of underground plant parts is enough to keep them hydrated.
9. Sand Cats
Sand cats inhabit deserts in Africa and Asia and can survive with minimal water. They get moisture from their prey, which includes rodents, birds, and insects, so they can go for weeks without drinking water.
10. Gerenuks
Gerenuks, found in East Africa, have long necks that allow them to reach high branches for food. They get all their water from the leaves and shoots they eat.
Additionally, their nasal passages help conserve moisture by reducing water loss when they breathe. They can live their entire lives without drinking water, so they can adapt to arid environments quickly.
11. Jerboas
Jerboas live in deserts across Africa, Asia, and Eastern Europe. They’re nocturnal and obtain all their water from the plants and seeds they eat.
Furthermore, their kidneys conserve water by producing highly concentrated urine and during the hottest months, they enter a state of torpor. This reduces their need for water even further.
12. Sand Gazelles
Sand gazelles can survive with very little water.
Found in deserts of the Arabian Peninsula, they get most of their moisture from the food they eat. They can also shrink their organs to reduce the need for oxygen and minimize water loss through breathing.
They can even reabsorb water from their urine in times of extreme drought, so they’re highly efficient at conserving water.
As you can notice, some animals that don’t need water get it through their food or skin, while others conserve water in their body and can go without it for days. This shows us that adapting and thriving in tough conditions is possible!
