Water balance and fluid consumption in the southern grasshopper mouse, Onychomys torridus

Weight loss was rapid and fluid consumption decreased sharply when Onychomys torridus were exposed to salinities greater than 0.3 Molar. The southern grasshopper mouse is physiologically unspecialized for maintaining water balance in its xeric habitat. The southern grasshopper mouse is capable of weight maintenance on smaller daily water rations than is the northern grasshopper mouse ( Onychomys leucogaster ) . Differences in the water balance of O. torridus and O. leucogaster may influence their local distributions in areas of sympatry.