ABSTRACT

Blood samples were collected from ten juvenile loggerhead sea turtles, Caretta caretta, from two months to one year of age. The turtles were also weighed and measured at the time of venipuncture. The morphological features and staining characteristics of the blood cells are described as are the hematologic changes noted with age. Presumptive normal hematologic, size and weight values are listed. Presumptive abnormal outliers for each group, based on wounds, non-linear weight gain or lymph dilution are also listed. The data provides additional physiological and morphometric information, with trends noted over time, that may be used to assess health status and aid in conservation and rehabilitation of this species.