HEMATOLOGY AND PLASMA BIOCHEMISTRY VALUES FOR THE GIANT GARTER SNAKE (THAMNOPHIS GIGAS) AND VALLEY GARTER SNAKE (THAMNOPHIS SIRTALIS FITCHI) IN THE CENTRAL VALLEY OF CALIFORNIA

• DOI: 10.7589/0090-3558-48.2.307
• Publication Date: 2013-10-01T03:04:07Z
• Authors: Raymund F. Wack; Eric Hansen; Marilyn Small; Robert Poppenga; David Bunn; Christine K. Johnson
• Keywords: Thamnophis sirtalis; Colubridae; Ophidia

Hematology and plasma biochemistry parameters are useful in the assessment management of threatened endangered species. Although reference ranges readily available for many mammalian species, snakes lacking most We determined hematology giant garter (Thamnophis gigas) valley sirtalis fitchi) living four areas Central Valley California. White blood cell, heterophil, lymphocyte, azurophil counts were approximately twice values snakes. Statistically significant differences aspartate aminotransferase, globulin, potassium between two species did not appear clinically significant. No found measured male female Some among collection sites. These provide baseline data comparisons over time