Which reptiles can survive a whole year without food 0 10

The key factor turned out to be the loss of genes responsible for the production of the hormone ghrelin, which signals hunger in mammals and triggers the burning of fat reserves for energy.

Analysis of the genomes of 112 species of reptiles showed that 32 species of snakes, four species of chameleons, and two species of agamids are virtually devoid of these genes, indicating independent evolutionary events. This adaptation corresponds to their hunting strategy of "sit and wait," which requires minimizing energy expenditure while at rest.

The absence of ghrelin apparently alters metabolism, allowing these animals to survive for months or even years without food, providing a significant advantage in conditions of irregular prey availability.