Original Research

Normal haematology and blood biochemistry of wild Nile crocodiles (Crocodylus niloticus) in the Okavango Delta, Botswana

C.J. Lovely, J.M. Pittman, A.J. Leslie
Journal of the South African Veterinary Association | Vol 78, No 3 | a305 | DOI: https://doi.org/10.4102/jsava.v78i3.305 | © 2007 C.J. Lovely, J.M. Pittman, A.J. Leslie | This work is licensed under CC Attribution 4.0
Submitted: 04 June 2007 | Published: 04 June 2007

About the author(s)

C.J. Lovely,
J.M. Pittman,
A.J. Leslie,

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Abstract

Wild Nile crocodiles (Crocodylus niloticus) of various size classes were captured in the Okavango Delta, Botswana. Blood was collected from the post occipital sinus and used for the determination of a wide range of haematological and biochemical parameters. These values were compared between the sexes and between 3 size classes. The values were also compared with the limited data available from farmed Nile crocodiles, as well as from other wild Nile crocodiles. The Okavango crocodiles were comparatively anaemic, and had comparatively low total protein and blood glucose levels. There was a high prevalence of Hepatozoon pettiti infection, however, there was no significant difference in haematological values between the infected and uninfected crocodiles. The values reported here will be useful in diagnostic investigations in both zoo and farmed Nile crocodiles.

Keywords

Biochemistry; Crocodylus Niloticus; Haematology; Nile Crocodile; Okavango Delta

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