Ventilation, gas exchange and blood gases in the snake, Pituophis melanoleucus

Oxygen consumption of Pituophis melanoleucus was about 30-50% of values predicted for snakes of similar body mass. Following a rise in body temperature there were transient increases in CO2 elimination and the respiratory exchange ratio for about 6 hours. Lowering body temperature produced transient decreases in CO2 elimination and the respiratory exchange ratio for about 24 hours. Respiratory exchange ratios measured up to 6 days following these transients were found to be significantly higher at higher temperatures. From 20 to 30 degrees C arterial pH declined 0.157 unit, and there was a significant decline in blood CO2 of 1.3 mM which is consistent with the direction of the transients in CO2 elimination. This fall in CO2 at higher temperatures probably results from increased levels of plasma fixed acid (e.g., lactate). Minute ventilation and breathing frequency increased with body temperature while tidal volume remained nearly constant at 29 ml/kg. Breathing was regular, with each breath followed by an inspiratory pause. Air convection requirement declined from about 61 ml air/ml O2 at 15 degrees C to 36 ml air/ml O2 at 30 degrees C. Blood convection requirement remained constant at about 44.6 ml blood/ml O2 at 20 degrees C and 30 degrees C with the result that ventilation/perfusion declined from approximately 1.13 to 0.76. In Pituophis, mechanisms of acid-base regulation and adjustments in gas transfer with temperature do not differ fundamentally from those of other air-breathing ectotherms. However, snakes utilize tidal volumes which are 2 to 2.5 times larger than other reptiles and have air convection requirements which exceed other reptiles by about 50%.