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How did humans evolve to not be able to survive off saltwater? (lemm.ee)

submitted 2 years ago by [email protected] to c/askbiologists

9 comments fedilink hide all child comments

I know in a pinch people could maybe tolerate small amounts of saltwater, but if I'm not mistaken, I'm pretty sure you can't survive off it alone, and so...How'd that happen?

It seems kind of bizarre, but I guess the further inland people went the more advantageous it was to shed any such capacity to process saltwater?

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[–] fubo 26 points 2 years ago* (last edited 2 years ago) (1 children)

We don't have to; like most mammals, humans habitually seek out fresh water sources on land, and these are pretty abundant on much of the planet.

Even many aquatic mammals don't drink seawater. Seals get water from their food; ocean fish is much less salty than the water they live in. Manatees move between salty, brackish, and fresh water; and they drink when they're in the fresh water. Polar bears eat snow.

Whales, dolphins, and sea otters can drink seawater. But they're pretty weird.

[–] AFLYINTOASTER 7 points 2 years ago

Do you have more animal fun facts? You're nailing this.

[–] Hazdaz 7 points 2 years ago (2 children)

What land animals CAN drink seawater?

[–] Bdtrngl 9 points 2 years ago (2 children)

Cats.

[–] Hazdaz 6 points 2 years ago (1 children)

This is legitimately a TIL fact.

[–] [email protected] 3 points 2 years ago

Same here! Glad you asked tbh, as I was also curious about the broader question but felt it might be easier to keep it narrow.

[–] wholeofthemoon 1 points 2 years ago (1 children)

I thought salt kills cats. I'm confused.

[–] [email protected] 1 points 2 years ago

...Is this a really slick Spongebob reference...? 🤔

[–] cowfodder 6 points 2 years ago

Whatever it is I'm sure it's Australian.