Oxygen consumption of eggs and hatchlings of the Nile crocodile (Crocodylus niloticus)

Abstract

VO 2 of Nile crocodile embryos was measured at 32°C during the last half of the incubation period and for 10 days after hatching. Peak VO 2 occurred when incubation was 87% completed. Thereafter, VO 2 decreased until hatching, following the same peaked pattern as in embryos of other crocodilians. After hatching, VO 2 increased to 119% of peak VO 2 , indicating a higher gas exchange capacity during pulmonary respiration than during chorioallantoic respiration.