Some factors affecting water economy in snakes

Abstract

1. 1. A series of experiments was conducted to determine the importance of the following parameters in the rate of water loss in snakes: (1) exposed surface area, (2) flow rate, (3) temperature, (4) state of snake in shedding cycle, (5) snake's position, (6) respiratory vs. cutaneous water loss, (7) vasodilation and (8) species differences. 2. 2. Water loss in Crotalus cerastes is a function of amount of exposed surface area. 3. 3. Water loss was found to be strongly influenced by temperature and by flow rate of the air used to desiccate the snakes. 4. 4. In non-shedding snakes, the cutaneous loss accounted for 75 per cent of the total water loss. 5. 5. Shedding snakes were found to lose considerably more than non-shedding snakes; the increase in cutaneous water loss accounted for the increase seen in shedding snakes. 6. 6. Rate of water loss in snakes allowed to coil is significantly less than that of snakes that were uncoiled. 7. 7. Snakes injected with a vasodilator significantly increased their rate of water loss. 8. 8. Rate of snakes' water loss was found to be correlated with habitats and food habits.