Evaluation of Nutritional and Health Status in Captive Eastern Indigo Snakes (<i>Drymarchon couperi</i>) in Response to Formulated Sausage Diet
The federally threatened eastern indigo snake (EIS; <i>Drymarchon couperi</i>) is an active ophiophagous snake once found throughout the southeastern US that is now restricted to southeastern Georgia and peninsular Florida. There are concerns regarding the potential impact of overconditi...
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MDPI AG
2024-11-01
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| author | Peyton R. Jackson James E. Bogan Ellen S. Dierenfeld Zachary J. Loughman |
| author_facet | Peyton R. Jackson James E. Bogan Ellen S. Dierenfeld Zachary J. Loughman |
| author_sort | Peyton R. Jackson |
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| description | The federally threatened eastern indigo snake (EIS; <i>Drymarchon couperi</i>) is an active ophiophagous snake once found throughout the southeastern US that is now restricted to southeastern Georgia and peninsular Florida. There are concerns regarding the potential impact of overconditioning or nutrient imbalances on the reproductive fitness of breeding programs due to the occurrence of dystocia in nulliparous dams and the differing nutritional profiles of domestic and free-range prey species. We examined the blood cell counts, plasma biochemistry, and circulating plasma levels of nutrients in snakes consuming standard or experimental diets over a one-year period. Treatments included mixed whole laboratory animal prey (rodents, birds), whole prey ground into sausage, or a sausage with similar nutrient profiles measured in prey found in free-ranging EIS stomach contents. Plasma concentrations of vitamin E (maximum = 0.80 mg/mL) and selenium (maximum = 371 ng/mL) were within range of and exceeded values reported in free-ranging EIS (0.0365 mg/mL and 107.45 ng/mL), while plasma vitamin D<sub>3</sub> concentrations (maximum = 64.1 ng/mL) were typically below minimum values observed in free-ranging EIS (46 ng/mL). Additional dietary studies initiated on juvenile subjects throughout reproductive maturity would provide an ideal experimental design for studying the linkage between reproductive health and nutrition. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-c265111c0d0d4b3c828e513249e5792b |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 2076-2615 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2024-11-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
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| spelling | doaj-art-c265111c0d0d4b3c828e513249e5792b2024-11-26T17:46:12ZengMDPI AGAnimals2076-26152024-11-011422332410.3390/ani14223324Evaluation of Nutritional and Health Status in Captive Eastern Indigo Snakes (<i>Drymarchon couperi</i>) in Response to Formulated Sausage DietPeyton R. Jackson0James E. Bogan1Ellen S. Dierenfeld2Zachary J. Loughman3Department of Organismal Biology, Ecology, & Zoo Science, West Liberty University, West Liberty, WV 26074, USACentral Florida Zoo & Botanical Gardens’ Orianne Center for Indigo Conservation, Eustis, FL 32736, USAZootrition Consulting, St. Louis, MO 63128, USADepartment of Organismal Biology, Ecology, & Zoo Science, West Liberty University, West Liberty, WV 26074, USAThe federally threatened eastern indigo snake (EIS; <i>Drymarchon couperi</i>) is an active ophiophagous snake once found throughout the southeastern US that is now restricted to southeastern Georgia and peninsular Florida. There are concerns regarding the potential impact of overconditioning or nutrient imbalances on the reproductive fitness of breeding programs due to the occurrence of dystocia in nulliparous dams and the differing nutritional profiles of domestic and free-range prey species. We examined the blood cell counts, plasma biochemistry, and circulating plasma levels of nutrients in snakes consuming standard or experimental diets over a one-year period. Treatments included mixed whole laboratory animal prey (rodents, birds), whole prey ground into sausage, or a sausage with similar nutrient profiles measured in prey found in free-ranging EIS stomach contents. Plasma concentrations of vitamin E (maximum = 0.80 mg/mL) and selenium (maximum = 371 ng/mL) were within range of and exceeded values reported in free-ranging EIS (0.0365 mg/mL and 107.45 ng/mL), while plasma vitamin D<sub>3</sub> concentrations (maximum = 64.1 ng/mL) were typically below minimum values observed in free-ranging EIS (46 ng/mL). Additional dietary studies initiated on juvenile subjects throughout reproductive maturity would provide an ideal experimental design for studying the linkage between reproductive health and nutrition.https://www.mdpi.com/2076-2615/14/22/3324clinical pathologydiet formulation<i>Drymarchon couperi</i>evidence-based husbandryherpetoculturenutrition |
| spellingShingle | Peyton R. Jackson James E. Bogan Ellen S. Dierenfeld Zachary J. Loughman Evaluation of Nutritional and Health Status in Captive Eastern Indigo Snakes (<i>Drymarchon couperi</i>) in Response to Formulated Sausage Diet Animals clinical pathology diet formulation <i>Drymarchon couperi</i> evidence-based husbandry herpetoculture nutrition |
| title | Evaluation of Nutritional and Health Status in Captive Eastern Indigo Snakes (<i>Drymarchon couperi</i>) in Response to Formulated Sausage Diet |
| title_full | Evaluation of Nutritional and Health Status in Captive Eastern Indigo Snakes (<i>Drymarchon couperi</i>) in Response to Formulated Sausage Diet |
| title_fullStr | Evaluation of Nutritional and Health Status in Captive Eastern Indigo Snakes (<i>Drymarchon couperi</i>) in Response to Formulated Sausage Diet |
| title_full_unstemmed | Evaluation of Nutritional and Health Status in Captive Eastern Indigo Snakes (<i>Drymarchon couperi</i>) in Response to Formulated Sausage Diet |
| title_short | Evaluation of Nutritional and Health Status in Captive Eastern Indigo Snakes (<i>Drymarchon couperi</i>) in Response to Formulated Sausage Diet |
| title_sort | evaluation of nutritional and health status in captive eastern indigo snakes i drymarchon couperi i in response to formulated sausage diet |
| topic | clinical pathology diet formulation <i>Drymarchon couperi</i> evidence-based husbandry herpetoculture nutrition |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2076-2615/14/22/3324 |
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