Blood Lactate in Free-Diving Sea Snakes

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Abstract
Blood lactate levels were determined in 4 spp. of sea snake [Laticauda laticaudata, Hydrophis cyanocinctus, L. colubrina and H. belcheri] while they swam and dived voluntarily in their natural habitat. Almost all values were charactertistic of resting reptiles (.hivin.x = 15.6 mg/100 ml) and indicated that routine dives are accomplished aerobically. Two snakes with high blood lactate (110 mg/100 ml) showed that dives requiring severe anaerobiosis do occur naturally, possibly coincidental with consuming prey or escaping predators.