Ventilation, acidosis and blood chemistry

[jarich]

After seeing Wayne's post about wanting to have more serious discussions on varanids here, I thought I would post a thread. I started discussing this on another forum but didnt get as much of a response as I had hoped for, so maybe some of you that saw it there will forgive me for repeating the question, (and, who knows, maybe even post a response here).

I do not post this with the idea that new keepers, or myself, will change their husbandry techniques due to this discussion. This is merely an observation and the first question in understanding further how we care for these animals. Again, no matter how this thread progresses PLEASE DO NOT change any husbandry techniques based on this discussion or suggest to others that they do so. Ok enough prelude...

We are rightfully concerned about the sealing of our varanid enclosures to ensure that humidity levels stay constantly high, as they need them to be. However, I worry that there may be some unknown effects to the monitors based on the limited ventilation that results.

Varanids are unique among reptiles not only in their extremely high metabolisms, but also in their ventilatory response and manipulations of blood chemistry. While it is often suggested that they are a good example of an intermediary stage between true ectotherms and endotherms, their thermoregulation is more than just an effort to digest food, and has further effects on disolved ions in the blood, pH levels, etc. In other words, their thermoregulation and high metabolism have more far reaching connections than just how they process food. As well, their ability to regulate their oxygen intake, and CO2 output, through breathing as a response to both metabolic increases and exercise equally is an important key to their success.

Given that we recommend they be fed daily, their metabolism is perhaps consistently increased, and any exercise after that is in addition to this metabolic increase in a demand for oxygen. As this results in a bump to CO2 levels, and therefore blood acidosis, ventilation is increased for both metabolic needs and exercise. Yet due to microhabitat constraints on humidity levels, we still continue to keep them in small, non ventilated enclosures.

My question is this; what is your opinion on their ability to optimally respond to these metabolic and excitatory increases in such contained enclosures? Even though they are not airtight, do you think the obviously increased levels of CO2 that would build up in the enclosure over time inhibit the ability of these captives to respond in normal ways to changes in blood chemistry due to metabolism and exercise? What effects could this have on them over a long term?

[murrindindi]

Hi Joshua, with respect to everyone on this and other websites, the majority of members have limited knowledge when it comes to the more technical aspects of Varanid physiology, maybe if you simplified what you`re asking it might get a few more responses and hopefullly a decent discusion will take place.
They haven`t got "extremely high" metabolisms as such, just higher than most other reptiles.
What effects if any, have you seen in your monitor, which I think you`ve been keeping for 2 years or so?

[KORBIN5895]

I am thrilled to see a thread that I will actually be able to learn something new from! This is me subscribing.

[infernalis]

What a thought provoking post..

I believe that to obtain a viable answer, one would have to install an accurate C02 meter, find a way to feed the lizard without opening the front door, as each time the door opens the air exchange would alter the results, and collecting blood samples would also be a challenge without opening the door.

[blindfireak40]

Well, but wouldn't such an air exchange be allowable, given that the application would be for general husbandry? Unless we are searching for a purely theoretical answer to the question "Does a sealed habitat contribute to physiological distress", I feel as though it would perhaps be more useful to monitor (pun intended) the CO2 levels and blood chemistry with typical amounts of door opening (i.e. spot cleaning, feeding, etc.).

Certainly, it would be advantageous to examine the sealed habitat if only to provide a factor of safety in husbandry over everyday life, but at some point the added difficulty of the method (to say nothing of the potential added danger) may cease to be worth the more accurate results achieved.

As to the physiological aspects of your question, I'm definitely not qualified to discuss those, but in terms of how one would conduct an experiment to verify said physiological responses, that's my two cents.

[murrindindi]

What a thought provoking post..

I believe that to obtain a viable answer, one would have to install an accurate C02 meter, find a way to feed the lizard without opening the front door, as each time the door opens the air exchange would alter the results, and collecting blood samples would also be a challenge without opening the door.


Now that is what I call a sensible response, it would indeed be a challenge!! :confused::confused::confused::)
And Wayne, collecting blood samples would be a challenge even if you did open the door. Not recommended unless the keeper has extensive experience taking blood from the medium to large Varanid species (or the small ones either).

[jarich]

Hi Joshua, with respect to everyone on this and other websites, the majority of members have limited knowledge when it comes to the more technical aspects of Varanid physiology, maybe if you simplified what you`re asking it might get a few more responses and hopefullly a decent discusion will take place.
They haven`t got "extremely high" metabolisms as such, just higher than most other reptiles.
What effects if any, have you seen in your monitor, which I think you`ve been keeping for 2 years or so?

I was hoping to engage a few of the people from the zoo thread, (wink wink, nudge nudge Dave, Sam, Robert, Daniel, Frank etc) and thereby have information that would stimulate others to learn more too. Its not that I meant to exclude anyone from commenting, but there is a fair bit of technical information necessary, and I had hoped that the information in a thread like this might spawn further research in myself and others.

As for the use of the phrase 'extremely high metabolisms', sorry I thought I had made it clear I was speaking in reference to other reptiles. Of course you are right in that their metabolisms are lower when compared to warm blooded animals.

Regarding my own monitor, I cant say I have noticed a difference, or realistically am qualified to say I would be able to reliably notice a difference on these criteria alone anyway. I only have one animal, so my experience is negligible in any comparative sense. I know that Dave has said he often leaves his monitors for days while he is away, without opening the enclosure, as have I, and his animals are perfectly healthy and breeding like always. The obvious fact here is that since we are away, we would not be privy to any changes that might occur in that time. However, Im not sure that simple observation would really be enough, aside from the possibility of reduced activity as CO2 increased. That was the only theory I could think of that could be measured in an observational sense; that as the length of time increased since ventilation, activity might decrease to compensate for more limited O2 and decreasing blood pH levels.

[Zoo Nanny]

When taking this in to consideration have you thought about the impact of sealants used in the enclosures. These gas emissions are known respiratory irritants. Whether it is oil based or water based it continues to emitt gases over the course of months and in some instances up to a year. This is in a dry environment. How much of an increase to the gasses does the uv lighting and high humidty cause is at best a quess. None of the reports that I have read have gone into any serious research other than light, heat and humidity causes an increase in the emissions. I am only just learning about varanids so I pose this as a question for my own curiosity.

[dinosaurdammit]

What a thought provoking post..

I believe that to obtain a viable answer, one would have to install an accurate C02 meter, find a way to feed the lizard without opening the front door, as each time the door opens the air exchange would alter the results, and collecting blood samples would also be a challenge without opening the door.

You know I have a CO2 meter, I think I will start the experiment tomorrow. Tonight when I go to bed I will place the monitor in and at the same time that night take it out and in between monitor the flux in the co2 levels.


You are probably asking yourself, DD, why do you have a CO2 monitor? Because my husband got one for his car because it was leaking co2 but we didnt know where from.

[murrindindi]

You know I have a CO2 meter, I think I will start the experiment tomorrow. Tonight when I go to bed I will place the monitor in and at the same time that night take it out and in between monitor the flux in the co2 levels.


You are probably asking yourself, DD, why do you have a CO2 monitor? Because my husband got one for his car because it was leaking co2 but we didnt know where from.


Hi, I was asking myself why on earth would you have a CO2 meter, thanks for the answer!! :)
When you have the results don`t forget to give the measurements of the enclosure...

[dinosaurdammit]

Hi, I was asking myself why on earth would you have a CO2 meter, thanks for the answer!! :)
When you have the results don`t forget to give the measurements of the enclosure...

okies will do! this thing also measures CO as well, so it should be interesting as to what it tells me tomorrow! I decided i would do it tomorrow as I have opened and closed it a number of times today doing spot cleaning and such so i think it would be best to start when it wont be bothered.

[MDT]

the measurement of CO2 in a small "unit" such as a monitor would be interesting to say the least. In humans (specifically in the critical care sector), diffused gases are measured typically by arterial blood (blood gases). End tidal CO2 (exhaled CO2) is measured by capnography which samples the actual exhaled breath of the patient, we see this displayed as a numerical value on the vital sign display monitor and is usually used in conjunction with the pulse oxymetry reading. I'm not sure how relevant ambient CO2 readings would be, prob fairly accurate or at least a ballpark. The blood gas will also give the pH, HCO3 pO2 and pCO2 level. All of these will give the data for the acid/base/metabolic status.

I really don't know the *clinical* relevance in these instances, if the animal in question is thriving, you are probably "doing it right". We learned something in med school which was "treat the patient and not the monitor"....I applaud the seeking of knowledge and since precious little is known about varanid physiology, any bit of gained knowledge is a good thing. However, let's say you pull some blood from the lizard, and it happens to be arterial, and you happen to have a blood gas analyzer right there to accept the iced sample, and it happen to indicate a metabolic acidosis or alkalosis....then what? Do you open the cage to let more air in (room air is approx 21% O2), do you have a respiratory acidosis or a metabolic alkalosis? who do you call? I would venture that most of you guys on this board are better versed in varanid husbandry than a vast majority of veterinarians. I am continually impressed with the fund of knowledge you guys have and the dedication you have in caring for your animals. i hope there is a way to evaluate the questions you are asking, but if not, I don't think you guys need to worry....

[MDT]

You know I have a CO2 meter, I think I will start the experiment tomorrow. Tonight when I go to bed I will place the monitor in and at the same time that night take it out and in between monitor the flux in the co2 levels.


You are probably asking yourself, DD, why do you have a CO2 monitor? Because my husband got one for his car because it was leaking co2 but we didnt know where from.

is it a CO meter or CO2 meter?

[dinosaurdammit]

the measurement of CO2 in a small "unit" such as a monitor would be interesting to say the least. In humans (specifically in the critical care sector), diffused gases are measured typically by arterial blood (blood gases). End tidal CO2 (exhaled CO2) is measured by capnography which samples the actual exhaled breath of the patient, we see this displayed as a numerical value on the vital sign display monitor and is usually used in conjunction with the pulse oxymetry reading. I'm not sure how relevant ambient CO2 readings would be, prob fairly accurate or at least a ballpark. The blood gas will also give the pH, HCO3 pO2 and pCO2 level. All of these will give the data for the acid/base/metabolic status.

I really don't know the *clinical* relevance in these instances, if the animal in question is thriving, you are probably "doing it right". We learned something in med school which was "treat the patient and not the monitor"....I applaud the seeking of knowledge and since precious little is known about varanid physiology, any bit of gained knowledge is a good thing. However, let's say you pull some blood from the lizard, and it happens to be arterial, and you happen to have a blood gas analyzer right there to accept the iced sample, and it happen to indicate a metabolic acidosis or alkalosis....then what? Do you open the cage to let more air in (room air is approx 21% O2), do you have a respiratory acidosis or a metabolic alkalosis? who do you call? I would venture that most of you guys on this board are better versed in varanid husbandry than a vast majority of veterinarians. I am continually impressed with the fund of knowledge you guys have and the dedication you have in caring for your animals. i hope there is a way to evaluate the questions you are asking, but if not, I don't think you guys need to worry....


my guess would be to gradually introduce Ox into the set up, I imagine that letting a crap ton of Ox into the set up can actually make them hyper ox saturated all at once and that can cause problems as well. When I open mine, since the pressure of the house is different than the pressure of the enclosure, I let the vent open and that lets a slow imput of house air into the enclosure. Because the lights super heat it and my house is around 70 or so, give or take a degree depending on time of day- and the enclosure ambient temps are anywhere from 95 to 80 depending on where (not counting burrows- they sustain a pretty constant 70).

I do this because I actually have the plexiglass bow in because of the pressure change. To keep from breaking the glass I vent some air to even out the pressure. Doing this gradually lets Ox in and doesnt seem to spook him as if I just BAM open door. I imagine they get used to a specific level of air quality and when you disturb it by just BAM opening a door it can mess with them. I often wondered if the change in air quality could give them problems like this and that maybe pajaaamas had this happen when I removed the air from the enclosure and replaced it with "garage air". (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oxygen_toxicity#Signs_and_symptoms)

Before I vented I would notice a slight change in pajaaamas, he seemed to get disoriented and almost drunk. I think their bodies adapt to what environment they are in and you are bound to have some CO2 in there though I dont know if a blood test would give any insight in how to regulate it other than let them gradually be introduced to more ppm of Ox rather than all at once. It would be the same as if you lived at sea level with low levels of Ox and then were placed in a higher altitude with a rain forrest. Odds are for a while it would bother you until you adapted. My guess is that there is more CO2 in their burrows than in the surrounding air. CO2 being heaver will sink and probably pool into the burrows- a measurement of it will need to be made as well as ambient CO2 will be different than the lower areas.

[dinosaurdammit]

is it a CO meter or CO2 meter?

it does both actually

[MDT]

unless you had a hyperbaric chamber, i'm not sure you're gonna have a "pressure diff" when you open the enclosure. I really think you're gonna still be at around 15 psi....inside and outside the enclosure....not trying to be a jerk, i promise, i just not sure you're gonna see a true physiologic change with what you describe. CO2 narcosis will occur with retention of too much CO2 and you will become very drowsy/somnolent in this state. oh well... let us know how it goes...

[dinosaurdammit]

unless you had a hyperbaric chamber, i'm not sure you're gonna have a "pressure diff" when you open the enclosure. I really think you're gonna still be at around 15 psi....inside and outside the enclosure....not trying to be a jerk, i promise, i just not sure you're gonna see a true physiologic change with what you describe. CO2 narcosis will occur with retention of too much CO2 and you will become very drowsy/somnolent in this state. oh well... let us know how it goes...

it runs on the same principle as if you have a door open upstairs but open an outside door the one upstairs slams. I should mention that plexiglass isnt the thickest stuff but id you do just open wide the door there is resistance and the glass bows in a bit

[murrindindi]

I really don't know the *clinical* relevance in these instances, if the animal in question is thriving, you are probably "doing it right". We learned something in med school which was "treat the patient and not the monitor"....I applaud the seeking of knowledge and since precious little is known about varanid physiology, any bit of gained knowledge is a good thing. However, let's say you pull some blood from the lizard, and it happens to be arterial, and you happen to have a blood gas analyzer right there to accept the iced sample, and it happen to indicate a metabolic acidosis or alkalosis....then what? Do you open the cage to let more air in (room air is approx 21% O2), do you have a respiratory acidosis or a metabolic alkalosis? who do you call? I would venture that most of you guys on this board are better versed in varanid husbandry than a vast majority of veterinarians. I am continually impressed with the fund of knowledge you guys have and the dedication you have in caring for your animals. i hope there is a way to evaluate the questions you are asking, but if not, I don't think you guys need to worry....


Hi, there`s actually quite a lot known about Varanid physiology these days, in fact much work has been and is being done. Still, we don`t have all the answers, so it`s most important to keep searching. I totally agree, many vets have even more to learn!

[MDT]

Hi, there`s actually quite a lot known about Varanid physiology these days, in fact much work has been and is being done. Still, we don`t have all the answers, so it`s most important to keep searching. I totally agree, many vets have even more to learn!

i was speaking in terms of human/canine/etc....

[Pirarucu]

I really like this post. We need more discussions like this.

Personally I do not think it would make a difference. Opening and closing the door for maintenance would provide more than adequate air exchange. Plus, it would not make a lot of sense for a burrowing animal to be intolerant of slightly below average air quality.. Arboreal rainforest monitors are the only ones I can imagine this having an effect on, if the door was opened infrequently. Even then I would guess it would be so minuscule as to be undetectable.
In a completely sealed environment it would eventually be detrimental, but I doubt many people are keeping their monitors in completely sealed cages...

[murrindindi]

I really like this post. We need more discussions like this.

Personally I do not think it would make a difference. Opening and closing the door for maintenance would provide more than adequate air exchange. Plus, it would not make a lot of sense for a burrowing animal to be intolerant of slightly below average air quality.. Arboreal rainforest monitors are the only ones I can imagine this having an effect on, if the door was opened infrequently. Even then I would guess it would be so minuscule as to be undetectable.
In a completely sealed environment it would eventually be detrimental, but I doubt many people are keeping their monitors in completely sealed cages...


Hi, in what respect would arborial forest monitors suffer more in captivity?
I`m only asking because I`m interested in why you think that, not because I`m criticising what you`ve said. Thanks! :)

[infernalis]

Varanids have been documented as entering a state of aestivation during periods of drought and other harsh conditions that would kill lesser animals.

I believe that they have also been known to backfill their own burrow once inside, that would completely block any airflow within the burrow.

Also one of the very few animals to take advantage of wildfires by sticking around and gobbling up other animals as they drop dead from the smoke and heat.

[MDT]

I really like this post. We need more discussions like this.

but I doubt many people are keeping their monitors in completely sealed cages...

yes...this is a good thread, and i appreciate the back and forth of exchanging ideas. Years ago (1986) I had a Sav that I acquired from a frat dude when i was in college (he couldn't keep in the frat house). His husbandry was atrocious, and now that I read how you guys keep your monitors, mine wasn't much better (even though I thought I was "doing it better" because I was a "reptile guy"...)

And, Pirarucu, i would agree w/ you....Our enclosures are essentially a porous environment, O2/CO2 concentration will likely be equivalent inside vs outside cage as would be barometric pressure.

[MDT]

Also one of the very few animals to take advantage of wildfires by sticking around and gobbling up other animals as they drop dead from the smoke and heat.

this is amazing and pretty cool...

[infernalis]

Hi, in what respect would arborial forest monitors suffer more in captivity?

I am curious how you gleaned that from this....

it would not make a lot of sense for a burrowing animal to be intolerant of slightly below average air quality.. Arboreal rainforest monitors are the only ones I can imagine this having an effect on, if the door was opened infrequently. Even then I would guess it would be so minuscule as to be undetectable.

What I make of the post is that Pirarucu stated that he feels that air quality may or may not be more important to an arboreal monitor than a burrowing terrestrial monitor.

However, I do notice the use of the word "intolerant" where I am pretty sure he meant "tolerant"

[Pirarucu]

Hi, in what respect would arborial forest monitors suffer more in captivity?
I`m only asking because I`m interested in why you think that, not because I`m criticising what you`ve said. Thanks! :)Well, animals such as those in the prasinus complex don't spend a lot of time in burrows, or even on the ground. The higher up you are, the less stagnant the air is. In addition, rainforests are of course full of plants, and plants put off oxygen. Those two things combined mean the air quality in the rainforest canopy is somewhat high.
Of course, the air on savannas would not be particularly shabby outside of burrows, since there would be fewer things obstructing air flow than at least the lower levels of the rainforest.

[murrindindi]

I am curious how you gleaned that from this....



What I make of the post is that Pirarucu stated that he feels that air quality may or may not be more important to an arboreal monitor than a burrowing terrestrial monitor.

However, I do notice the use of the word "intolerant" where I am pretty sure he meant "tolerant"


If Pirarucu thinks that it might make a difference to an arborial forest monitor, I wondered why he/she thought it may (even in a very small way), is that not a reasonable question to ask the OP?
Edit: I`ve just seen Pirarucu`s reply: Almost ALL species will burrow to some extent if given the opportunity (that means retiring to them during the night at times if the main heating and lighting are turned off), it depends as always, on what the keeper provides (many hiding places throughout, so lots to choose from!

[Pirarucu]

I am curious how you gleaned that from this....



What I make of the post is that Pirarucu stated that he feels that air quality may or may not be more important to an arboreal monitor than a burrowing terrestrial monitor.

However, I do notice the use of the word "intolerant" where I am pretty sure he meant "tolerant"You are correct.
I did mean intolerant, as I said it would not make sense if they were intolerant, therefore they are clearly tolerant of below average air quality.

[Pirarucu]

We're arguing semantics now....

[infernalis]

If Pirarucu thinks that it might make a difference to an arborial forest monitor, I wondered why he/she thought it may (even in a very small way), is that not a reasonable question to ask the OP?

Yes it is a very reasonable question.

Personally, I would love nothing more than to build a room 20 feet tall with some live tropical trees inside and truly watch a beccarii or prasinus make use of it.

Not arguing semantics at all, Stefan and I have some wonderful conversations, but sometimes we wind up on a different page because of word confusion.

That's all.. makes it easier to hold the conversation when we clarify what it is being asked.

[murrindindi]

Well, animals such as those in the prasinus complex don't spend a lot of time in burrows, or even on the ground. The higher up you are, the less stagnant the air is. In addition, rainforests are of course full of plants, and plants put off oxygen. Those two things combined mean the air quality in the rainforest canopy is somewhat high.
Of course, the air on savannas would not be particularly shabby outside of burrows, since there would be fewer things obstructing air flow than at least the lower levels of the rainforest.


I thought we were discussing captive conditions (the matchbox with some twigs and dirt)! :)

[Pirarucu]

Not arguing semantics at all, Stefan and I have some wonderful conversations, but sometimes we wind up on a different page because of word confusion.That's what I meant, LOL. Sorry for the word confusion.
See what I did there? LOL.

[murrindindi]

Yes it is a very reasonable question.

Personally, I would love nothing more than to build a room 20 feet tall with some live tropical trees inside and truly watch a beccarii or prasinus make use of it.

Not arguing semantics at all, Stefan and I have some wonderful conversations, but sometimes we wind up on a different page because of word confusion.

That's all.. makes it easier to hold the conversation when we clarify what it is being asked.



Thanks Wayne, WE know this a just a discussion, just because at times we may not agree with someone else doesn`t mean we`re being disrespectful. Discussion often leads to progress and as we`ve recently seen when someone decides not to take part progression is halted, and in that case the animals lose again.... :)

[varanus_mad]

I really like this post. We need more discussions like this.

Personally I do not think it would make a difference. Opening and closing the door for maintenance would provide more than adequate air exchange. Plus, it would not make a lot of sense for a burrowing animal to be intolerant of slightly below average air quality.. Arboreal rainforest monitors are the only ones I can imagine this having an effect on, if the door was opened infrequently. Even then I would guess it would be so minuscule as to be undetectable.
In a completely sealed environment it would eventually be detrimental, but I doubt many people are keeping their monitors in completely sealed cages...

arboreal monitors may not spend time in burrows that's not to say they dont spend a lot of time in places small tight places, with a set humidity/limited ventilation tight sealed in means security to varanids regardless of sp.

I do agree with the rest of your statement though, the vivaria in question are not tightly sealed nor completely air tight.

I can not forsee this being a problem to worry about certainly interesting though.

[Pirarucu]

I thought we were discussing captive conditions (the matchbox with some twigs and dirt)! :)My point is that the matchbox with twigs and dirt probably does not quite equal the air of a rainforest canopy as closely as it replicates the air on the savannas and in burrows.

[Pirarucu]

arboreal monitors may not spend time in burrows that's not to say they dont spend a lot of time in places small tight places, with a set humidity/limited ventilation tight sealed in means security to varanids regardless of sp.That is a good point, I didn't consider that.

[varanus_mad]

That is a good point, I didn't consider that.

People get blinkered with the word arboreal... and forget a varanid is a varanid and whatever else second....

its easily done ive done it on multiple occasions myself...

[Pirarucu]

People get blinkered with the word arboreal... and forget a varanid is a varanid and whatever else second....

its easily done ive done it on multiple occasions myself...Indeed. It's all too easy to not consider just one detail.. I would venture to say that a hollow branch probably still beats a burrow though as far as air quality goes, if not by much.

[varanus_mad]

Indeed. It's all too easy to not consider just one detail.. I would venture to say that a hollow branch probably still beats a burrow though as far as air quality goes, if not by much.

I would be inclined to agree Since there are components of air that are heavier than oxygen and a lot of them would end up in the burrows in slightly higher concentrations than higher up.

[Pirarucu]

I would be inclined to agree Since there are components of air that are heavier than oxygen and a lot of them would end up in the burrows in slightly higher concentrations than higher up.Precisely. The CO2 breathed out my the monitor would drift down from a hollow in the treetops, but in a burrow it would have nowhere to go.

[MDT]

Precisely. The CO2 breathed out my the monitor would drift down from a hollow in the treetops, but in a burrow it would have nowhere to go.

So....at what level would the compensatory mechanisms (renal/excretory/etc) adjust for the increased inhaled CO2? It would be interesting to see how significant these alterations are. Moreover, at what point would the animal, "sensing" the metabolic issues, shift positions in the burrow, exit the burrow, etc....?

I do not know if anyone has sampled oxygen/CO2 levels in some of the very deep burrows (gopher tortoise and such). it would seem those would have a much greater possibility of higher CO2 levels. Again, speculation on my part.

[dinosaurdammit]

CO2 level ambient: 823ppm
CO2 level burrow: 841ppm
CO level ambient: 31ppm
CO level burrow: 32 ppm
Humidity: 79%
Temps: 133 hot spot 92 ambient near hot spot 84 cool side 73 in the burrows
Size: 10longx4widex4high
Dirt depth: On cool side soil is 3 feet deep and sloped to the top, hot side has 1 foot of dirt

[erichillkeast]

CO2 level ambient: 823ppm
CO2 level burrow: 841ppm
CO level ambient: 31ppm
CO level burrow: 32 ppm
Humidity: 79%
Temps: 133 hot spot 92 ambient near hot spot 84 cool side 73 in the burrows
Size: 10longx4widex4high
Dirt depth: On cool side soil is 3 feet deep and sloped to the top, hot side has 1 foot of dirt

Do you by chance have the CO and CO2 levels outside the enclosure, as something to compare it to?

[MDT]

CO2 level ambient: 823ppm
CO2 level burrow: 841ppm
CO level ambient: 31ppm
CO level burrow: 32 ppm
Humidity: 79%
Temps: 133 hot spot 92 ambient near hot spot 84 cool side 73 in the burrows
Size: 10longx4widex4high
Dirt depth: On cool side soil is 3 feet deep and sloped to the top, hot side has 1 foot of dirt

This is an interesting start. Essentially the same numbers from ambient to burrow (the CO2 value may be a statistically sig number)...now, how to determine the clinical relevance of these numbers and what the metabolic significance actually is?

I don't know what a ppm value is and how that correlates with a percentage of dissolved gas in an organism....

[Pirarucu]

This is an interesting start. Essentially the same numbers from ambient to burrow (the CO2 value may be a statistically sig number)...now, how to determine the clinical relevance of these numbers and what the metabolic significance actually is?

I don't know what a ppm value is and how that correlates with a percentage of dissolved gas in an organism....Ppm = Parts Per Million.

[MDT]

Ppm = Parts Per Million.

yep..that part i know, however, what does an atmospheric reading of ppm mean in an organism? OSHA standards CO2 is less than 600ppm....I just don't know how that number correlates to in terms of PaCO2. Another example, percentage of oxygen bound to the hemoglobin molecule is represented by SaO2. Typically, room air O2 saturation should be approx 97%-100% in a healthy individual. I'm sure there may be come conversion rule out there, but I've been out of school too long to remember it and don't really want to Google right now :)

I guess what I'm trying to say, is that these are interesting answers to the original questions, however, to really find a clinical (or husbandry related) relevance, there are many other parameters that need to be sampled.

[dinosaurdammit]

Do you by chance have the CO and CO2 levels outside the enclosure, as something to compare it to?

I didnt even think about this. I can set up the monitor tonight and just let it run and put the results in the morning. I would imagine that the airflow in the house is a heck of a lot better. Its super stuffy in his set up. Its stifling for me but he seems to just do fine.