Is aquatic life correlated with an increased hematocrit in snakes?
Résumé
Contrary to previous findings, marine snakes have significantly-albeit slightly-elevated hematocrit, which should facilitate increased aerobic dive times. Longer dives could have consequences for foraging, mate searching, and predation risks. Alternatively, but not exclusively, increased Hct in marine species might also help to fuel other oxygen-demanding physiological adaptations, such as those involved in osmoregulation.