Evaporative water loss of small vertebrates, as measured with an infrared analyzer.

Evaporation is linearly and inversely related to absolute humidity at 26 degrees to 27 degrees C. The relative rate of loss in desert reptiles, rodents, and anurans is about 1:10:40. The maximum rate of water loss is about 2.5 and 5 times the basal rate, respectively, in pocket mice and sand lizards. The ratio of loss from lung to loss from skin is about 84:16 in kangaroo rats and 70:30 in rattlesnakes.