Turtles Urinate Via Their Mouths—A First

Peeing out of the mouth helps species stay healthy, scientist suggests.

The Chinese soft-shelled turtle is the first animal known to pee via its mouth.

When a species of soft-shelled turtle in China piddles in puddles, it does so through its mouth—the first evidence of an animal doing so, a new study says.

The findings could also have stomach-churning implications for humans with kidney failure, scientists say.

Researchers at the National University of Singapore noticed Pelodiscus sinensisturtles would stick their heads into puddles of water and wiggle their tongues, but they weren't drinking.