Projects

Giant garter snake comparative pathology, health, and contaminant exposure

Hansen, E.C, R. Wack, R. Poppenga, K. Strohm, C. Johnson, D. Bunn, and R. Scherer.  2011.  Comparative pathology, health, and contaminant exposure within San Joaquin Valley and Sacramento Valley giant garter snake (Thamnophis gigas) populations. Report prepared for the Bureau of Reclamation (BOR) pursuant to BOR Agreement No. 08FG200042. March 31, 2011.

This study evaluated health, pathology (hematology, plasma biochemistry, parisitology, and bacterial flora) and contaminant exposure (selenium, total mercury, methyl mercury, boron, PCBs, and organophosphate (OP) and organochlorine (OC) pesticides directly in snakes, through diet, and in the environment) in giant garter snakes and a non-threatened congener within both declining and stable populations, providing the baseline data needed for more focused research directing species recovery.   (2008-2013)

• Project Types

• Ecosystem Management