Wednesday, December 21, 2011

Naked mole rats can handle acid.


According to a recent study, scientists have confirmed that naked mole rats, compared to other mammals, are extremely resistant to higher levels of acidity! But what makes these little critters so hardy?
Researchers say it's their lifestyle.

Professor Gary Lewin states: "The level of carbon dioxide in their burrows is very high because of the cramped conditions and so many animals [breathing out] CO2. Carbon dioxide makes tissues acidic. It seems evolution has shut down their ability to sense acid as painful." 

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