Does stress influence snake fungal disease dynamics in timber rattlesnakes?

Hi Maxim! Thank you for contributing to our project. Tagging and taking blood samples is certainly a stressor. Unfortunately, to understand these relationships we have to be able to track the same snakes over time and the only viable method is tagging. As for the blood sampling, this is likely an acute stressor because we limit our blood sampling to once per month to reduce the effects this may have on their stress. We also do not take blood samples as they are preparing to "hibernate" or during that time and will wait to take any samples until at least one month after they come out of hibernation to reduce any negative effects our sampling may have on them. We are taking as many steps as possible to minimize our having any negative effects on the snakes and hope this addresses your question. Thanks! - Andrea and John

Thank you Donna - we truly appreciate your help!