The pressor response to normal daily behaviors and acute stress was studied in black racer snakes (Coluber constrictor) at 30 degrees C. In addition, hematological changes during the stress response were assessed. Mean nighttime systemic arterial blood pressure (SABP) in undisturbed snakes was lower than daytime pressure (26 +/- 3 vs. 32 +/- 9 mmHg, P < 0.001). When snakes were fed mice, SABP increased 3.5- to 4-fold and heart rate increased approximately 3-fold above resting values within approximately 30 s (peak SABP, 99 +/- 18 mmHg; peak heart rate, 99 +/- 12 beats/min). Killing and ingesting the mice required 6-15 min, during which time mean SABP and heart rate were 84 +/- 16 mmHg and 92 +/- 12 beats/min. Pulmonary blood pressure also increased but remained 40-50 mmHg lower than SABP. During stress elicited by tapping the snakes for 5-8 min, heart rate was 94 +/- 6 beats/min but SABP averaged only 44 +/- 11 mmHg. Plasma norepinephrine and epinephrine increased 51- and 26-fold. Plasma glucose increased 58%, hematocrit increased 19%, and plasma volume decreased 19%. It is concluded that blood pressure is markedly affected by behavior and that the sympathetic nervous system appears to play a key role.