Title:

Water flux in free-living lions (Panthera leo) in Etosha National Park, Namibia

Author(s):
Publication Year:
1992
Abstract:

Water-flux rates of eight free-living lions, Panthera leo, were measured using tritiated water. Water-influx rate averaged 49.5± 7.5 ml kg-1day-1. This is only slightly higher than predicted water-influx value in captive animals under standard conditions, but over twice as high as predicted water influx in free-living eutherian carnivores. Factors influencing water-flux rates and estimates of food consumption from independent studies were used to determine dependence on drinking water, a constant supply of which is maintained artificially in the study area. Drinking comprised ca. 40% of the total water influx. Keywords: Panthera, water balance, Namibia.

Publication Title:

Journal of Mammalogy

Volume:
73
Issue:
3
Pages:
552-558
Item Type:
Journal Article
Language:
en