Chinese softshell turtle excretes urea through its mouth

  • To eliminate the urea, the turtle sticks its head under water
To eliminate the urea, the turtle sticks its head under water
 

Take a closer look at nature and you will find some amazing evolutionary solutions to the strangest situations. The Chinese softshell turtle (Pelodiscus sinensis) has evolved to excrete most of its urea through its mouth instead of its kidneys. It periodically sticks its head under water for periods of 20 to 100 minutes, during which time it also continues to breathe.