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News Release 05-029
A “Hearty” Eater
Big Meals Condition a Snake’s Heart
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The tip of the tail and a large bulge in the snake are the only remaining signs of a rat after being ingested by this Burmese python. The pythons heart ventricle increases in mass after eating a large meal. The remodeling of its heart is in response to increased cardiovascular and respiratory demands that can last up seven days.
Credit: Bryan Rourke, California State University
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In response to weeks of intense aerobic training, the ventricle of the human heart increases in size allowing athletes to perform at their peak. In contrast, a disease such as chronic hypertension causes enlargement of the ventricle with deleterious effects. Studies of the Burmese python may shed light on the underlying mechanisms of this cardiac remodeling.
Credit: CS Productions/PictureQuest