Kidney stones can be excruciatingly painful in humans, but for birds and reptiles, peeing solids is just part of the daily grind. “This research was really inspired by a desire to understand the ways ...

Reptiles and birds have evolved to expel nitrogenous waste in the form of solids, known commonly as urates, which are predominantly uric acid crystals. Having solid or semisolid urine helps the ...

Snakes offer a surprising solution to kidney stones and gout. Unlike humans, reptiles excrete uric acid as tiny, smooth microspheres, preventing painful crystal formation. Scientists are now studying ...

SUNDAY, Nov. 16, 2025 — Scientists think snakes and lizards could help them find new ways to prevent painful kidney stones and gout in people. And it all owes to an evolutionary trick. Reptiles don’t ...

Snake science and chemistry collide! These collaborators used chemical methods to analyze samples of snake pee solids, known as “urates.” And they found something that led them to an interesting ...