How do Mogwai or Gremlins Drink?

Question

When a Mogwai or a Gremlin is exposed to water, it multiplies.

But how then do they drink?

They take in fluids through their food (fruits, vegetables)? — Xantec, Feb 16 '12 at 18:45

score 57 · Answer 1 · answered Feb 16 '12 at 18:57

57

They drink on the back, directly from the tap :

GREMLINS, 1984, drinking from the tap

answered Feb 16 '12 at 18:57

DavRob60

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Wait a minute, that's no water! – Zommuter Nov 16 '16 at 15:34

score 27 · Accepted Answer · answered Feb 16 '12 at 18:49

27

The only time we see Mogwai reproduce from water is when it contacts their skin. There is no indication that drinking water (or taking it internally) results in spontaneous reproduction. It is also possible that only certain parts of the Mogwai are affected by water (such as the main torso). The general rule to never get them wet would then likely come from the difficulty in only getting the safe part of them wet.

Because most all foods contain some trace amount of water, it is unlikely the carbon based lifeform would survive without it.

answered Feb 16 '12 at 18:49

Jack B Nimble

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There's actually several real-world species that live in arid environments and never drink water as such; they get all their hydration from their food. Domestic cats, for instance, have trouble feeling thirsty because their ancestors were adapted like that (though these days they do need to drink some water, particularly if you feed them dry food). – Tacroy Feb 16 '12 at 20:23
Just to point out, but in the movie they specifically say, "Don't give it water to drink." – Jeff Dec 27 '17 at 21:02

score 7 · Answer 3 · answered May 02 '15 at 22:58

7

In the Gremlin film official novelisation, it's revealed that the Mogwai don't drink. Ever.

It's reasonable to assume that this is because of the severe risk of spawning and because mogwai are able to ingest all the fluids that they need from their food...

The kid looked at Rand pointedly. “I’m serious, mister.” he said.
“Sure,” Rand replied. “It’s just that animals need water to drink, right?”
“This one doesn’t.”
“You sure?”

Later in the same film we see Gremlins drinking alcoholic beverages so it's clear that they can imbide fluids (orally) without budding.

answered May 02 '15 at 22:58

Valorum

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Mightn't that be a case of unreliable narrator, though? – Ghoti and Chips Nov 16 '16 at 17:42
@GhotiandChips - Well, in the book he has it for several days before his "accident". He's evidently had sufficient time to learn about its eating patterns. – Valorum Nov 16 '16 at 17:44
Humans can last 3 to 5 days without water, and camels six to seven months, /edit/ who knows how long Mogwais (who are aliens) can last? I don't think Pete does! – Ghoti and Chips Nov 16 '16 at 17:48
From the wiki "The mogwai were created to be able to survive* in almost every environment and also to reproduce very easily"*, which might imply they're durable in their thirst! Though it may also mean they don't need water at all, supporting your answer. – Ghoti and Chips Nov 16 '16 at 17:50
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@Ghotiandchips - The wiki is fan-written. Without a reference, it's basically worthless. – Valorum Nov 16 '16 at 18:02
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I always wondered, if you can't feed them after midnight; what time the next day can you feed them? – sueelleker Oct 27 '17 at 15:03
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@sueelleker - It's not made clear. Nor is it clear which midnight (it's always midnight somewhere. And what about planets with solar periods greater/less than 24 hours. – Valorum Oct 27 '17 at 17:15

How do Mogwai or Gremlins Drink?

3 Answers3