How to translate text using browser tools
12 January 2024 HEALTH ASSESSMENT OF FREE-RANGING EASTERN INDIGO SNAKES (DRYMARCHON COUPERI) FROM HYDROLOGIC RESTORATION CONSTRUCTION SITES IN SOUTH FLORIDA, USA
James E. Bogan Jr., Bradley M. O'Hanlon, David A. Steen, Terrence Horan, Robert Taylor, Alexandra K. Mason, Timothy Breen, Holly Andreotta, Bryan Cornelius, April Childress, Michele Elmore
Author Affiliations +
Abstract

There is a paucity of information regarding the health status of free-ranging eastern indigo snakes (EIS; Drymarchon couperi) in heavily modified and developing landscapes. As a component of regional Florida Everglades restoration efforts, several areas occupied by EIS are being converted from agricultural lands to reservoirs. From 2020 to 2022, 28 EIS were opportunistically captured at two of these sites and brought into captivity to join a captive breeding colony; however, 11 snakes died within 5 mo of capture. Health assessments were performed on 28 individuals and included hematology and plasma biochemistry analysis, as well as screening for pesticide contaminant levels, parasites, and other pathogens. Overall, the presence of pathogens was relatively high, suggesting immunosuppression secondary to stress: 25/28 (89.4%) Kalicephalus sp.; 12/28 (42.9%) Raillietiella orientalis; 11/28 (39.2%) Ochetosoma validum; 7/28 (25.0%) Cryptosporidium serpentis; 3/28 (10.7%) snake adenovirus 1; and 1/28 (3.6%) Ferlavirus genotype C. Stress may have been caused by physical displacement, habitat modification, and noise pollution. These potential stressors (including the presence of remnant harmful chemicals from previous land use and the impacts on this federally threatened species) should be considered further when making restoration or construction decisions.

James E. Bogan Jr., Bradley M. O'Hanlon, David A. Steen, Terrence Horan, Robert Taylor, Alexandra K. Mason, Timothy Breen, Holly Andreotta, Bryan Cornelius, April Childress, and Michele Elmore "HEALTH ASSESSMENT OF FREE-RANGING EASTERN INDIGO SNAKES (DRYMARCHON COUPERI) FROM HYDROLOGIC RESTORATION CONSTRUCTION SITES IN SOUTH FLORIDA, USA," Journal of Wildlife Diseases 60(1), 39-51, (12 January 2024). https://doi.org/10.7589/JWD-D-22-00184
Received: 31 December 2022; Accepted: 21 June 2023; Published: 12 January 2024
KEYWORDS
Chlordane
Cryptosporidium serpentis
Drymarchon couperi
Eastern Indigo Snake
health assessment
immunosuppression
Pentastome
RIGHTS & PERMISSIONS
Get copyright permission
Back to Top