Blood analyses of the leatherback sea turtle (Dermochelys coriacea) can contribute to hematological and physiological studies of healthy individuals (Lutcavage et al. 1990; Deem et al. 2006; Montilla et al. 2008) and are useful in assessing the health status of individuals sent for rehabilitation (Werneck et al. 2008). Additionally, access to the venous system also allows the use of anesthetics and respective reversal agents (Harms et al. 2007).
