How rattlesnakes' scales help them sip rainwater from their bodies
Wednesday, January 8, 2020 - 12:50
in Earth & Climate
During storms in the southwestern U.S., some rattlesnakes drink rain droplets from scales on their backs. This unusual behavior could help them survive in a desert environment with infrequent rain. Now, researchers have figured out how the nanotexture of scales from these snakes helps them use their bodies to harvest rain. They report their results in in ACS Omega.