Temperature-dependent regulation of blood distribution in snakes

Abstract

SUMMARY Regional control of blood flow is often suggested as a mechanism for fine thermoregulatory adjustments in snakes. However, the flow of blood to different body regions at various temperatures has never been visualized to confirm this mechanism. We used 99mtechnetium-labelled macroaggregated albumin (99mTc-MAA), a radioactive tracer, to follow the flow of blood through the bodies of garter snakes (Thamnophis sirtalis) near their thermal maxima and minima. We injected snakes with 99mTc-MAA at cold (6–8°C) and hot (27–32°C) temperatures and imaged them using a gamma scanner. At cold ambient temperatures, snakes significantly reduced the blood flow to their tails and significantly increased the blood flow to their heads. Conversely, at hot ambient temperatures, snakes significantly increased the blood flow to their tails and significantly reduced the blood flow to their heads. This confirms that snakes are able to use differential blood distribution to regulate temperature. Our images confirm that snakes use regional control of blood flow as a means of thermoregulation and that vasomotor control of vascular beds is likely to be the mechanism of control.