title: HEALTH AND NUTRITIONAL ASSESSMENT OF FREE-RANGING EASTERN INDIGO SNAKES (DRYMARCHON COUPERI) IN GEORGIA, UNITED STATES.
abstract: Clinical pathology and nutritional parameters are useful in evaluating and monitoring threatened and endangered wildlife populations, but reference ranges for most snake species are lacking. From 2001 to 2005, health assessments were performed on 58 eastern indigo snakes (EIS) (Drymarchon couperi) captured in the wild in southeastern Georgia, United States. Health and nutritional assessments performed included hematology, serum biochemistry, fat-soluble vitamins, heavy metals, pesticide contaminants, parasitology, and surveys of other pathogens. Significant differences in total solids, packed cell volume, glucose, blood urea nitrogen, albumin : globulin ratio, amylase, triglycerides, and bile acids between males and females were observed. Additionally, there was a significant difference between liver and kidney concentrations for vitamins A and E. As previously noted in captive EIS, total Ca was elevated in comparison to concentrations reported in other snake species. Parasitism was a common finding in sampled EIS, but the overall health status of this free-ranging population appeared good. A winter-time dermatitis was found in most snakes, which resolved in the summer months. This study represents the first health and nutritional assessment of free-ranging EIS, and provides needed data to guide monitoring and conservation efforts.
authors.forename: S Emmanuelle
authors.initials: SE
authors.lastname: Knafo
authors.forename: Terry M
authors.initials: TM
authors.lastname: Norton
authors.forename: Mark
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Mitchell
authors.forename: Dirk J
authors.initials: DJ
authors.lastname: Stevenson
authors.forename: Natalie
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Hyslop
authors.forename: Robert
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Poppenga
authors.forename: Marcie
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Oliva
authors.forename: Tai
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.forename: Carolyn
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Cray
authors.forename: Samantha E J
authors.initials: SE
authors.lastname: Gibbs
authors.forename: Lance
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Durden
authors.forename: Nancy
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Stedman
authors.forename: Stephen
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Divers
authors.forename: Ellen
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Dierenfeld
mesh_terms: D000410:Alanine Transaminase / Q000097:blood; D063147:Animal Distribution; D000818:Animals; D000835:Animals, Wild; D001219:Aspartate Aminotransferases / Q000097:blood; D001786:Blood Glucose; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D004573:Electrolytes / Q000097:blood; D005260:Female; D005845:Georgia; D008297:Male; D009752:Nutritional Status / Q000502:physiology*; D012016:Reference Values; D012712:Serum Globulins; D012911:Snakes / Q000097:blood / Q000502:physiology*; D014527:Uric Acid / Q000097:blood
chemical_list: D001786:Blood Glucose; D004573:Electrolytes; D012712:Serum Globulins; D014527:Uric Acid; D001219:Aspartate Aminotransferases; D000410:Alanine Transaminase
keywords: Clinical pathology; Drymarchon couperi; Georgia; eastern indigo snake; health assessment; wildlife health