>>On the contrary, HL's are excellent at water retention, as are

>> most reptiles.



My data indicates otherwise.



I have kept dozens of Phrynosomas over the last 25 years. If you keep them in a dry cage and offer water by spraying and water bowl they will lose weight beyond the weight of their feces.



This is why everyone now provides moist underground sleeping quarters in the form of damp sand or the like.



Phrynosomas are far worse at holding water than all other southwest desert species.



I did the same weight experiments with Sceleporus and Sauromalus and they lose weight far slower.





>>Formic acid metabolizes to CO2, salt, and water. But that

>> wasn't the point of this post.



http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Formic_acid



Formic Acid is HCO2H. Take a look at the form of the molecule at wikipedia.



A) there is no "salt" present in the chemistry to make "salt". No sodium or chlorides, no salt.



B) it does metabolize into H20 and CH the CH binds with other foodstuffs in ways I cannot explain.



A real chemist could explain why it does not break down into Co2 and H2. I believe it has to do with the pH.



Thanks for your post.
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