體型龐大的野外非洲大象(Loxodonta africana) ,每日步行接近8-12公里。403Please respect copyright.PENANAgSZcnkkmnN
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在非洲的和暖氣候下,行走無可避免會出汗,那麼牠們每日大概會流失多少水份呢?403Please respect copyright.PENANAoSEKn6UiRY
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(圖2)有科學家利用動物園的非洲大象作研究(Ref1),將D2O注入在麵包裡,讓大象吃下肚裡;403Please respect copyright.PENANAvCADrXrGG4
可以把D2O理解成為被標記的水份,從而可以區分本身沒有被標記的H2O水份。403Please respect copyright.PENANAzssRDcQcWI
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讓D2O透過食物進入大象血液循環系統後,每隔24小時便會進行抽血動作,為期10日,透過量度D2O的流失量計算出水份流失率。403Please respect copyright.PENANARFFGNd3E9k
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(圖3)最後計算得出,在攝氏25度中,大象每日水份的流失量約為身體重量的12%左右。403Please respect copyright.PENANA2EDe4tHvwY
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基於是次研究對象為2000-5000kg的6隻大象,每日水份流失量的平均數為325升,最高可達516升。403Please respect copyright.PENANAor6Bxp9W6F
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全球天氣逐漸極端化,野外大象將來能否從野外獲取足夠水份彌補所失水份,將成一大疑問。403Please respect copyright.PENANABmdBkXKL6h
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有興趣接收科學資訊的話,歡迎follow IG: potatopigtongue。403Please respect copyright.PENANAyrjb6JfUN6
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Ref1:https://royalsocietypublishing.org/doi/pdf/10.1098/rsos.201155
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