CORTISOL AND ALDOSTERONE COMPARISONS OF COTTONTAIL RABBITS COLLECTED BY SHOOTING, TRAPPING, AND FALCONRY

Abstract

Cortisol and aldosterone levels were measured in plasma of eastern cottontail rabbits (S. floridanus) collected by 3 different methods, i.e., shooting, live-trapping and falconry. Cortisol levels ranged from near 0 to 27.5 .mu.g/100 ml and aldosterone from near 0 to 220 ng/100 ml. Shot animals had significantly lower cortisol concentrations than those taken by either of the other methods. Trapped cottontails also had significantly lower aldosterone levels.