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[[Image:Boa_spleen_crop.jpg|200px|thumb|right|'''[[Boa constrictor]] spleen''' ©RVC and its licensors, Peer Zwart and Fredric Frye. All rights reserved]]

[[Image:Boa_spleen_crop.jpg|200px|thumb|right|'''Boa constrictor spleen''' (Copyright © RVC)]]

The immune system of [[Lizard|lizards]] and [[Snake|snakes]] is influenced by age, nutrition, general health, ambient temperature and season (refer to [[Snake Physical Examination|snake physical examination]] and [[Snake Housing|snake housing]]).  In temperate species thymic involution and splenic follicle regression occur seasonally. Antibody production is temperature dependent. The immune system functions most efficiently within a reptile's [[Preferred optimum temperature zone|preferred optimum temperature zone]] although at a low level in comparison to birds and mammals.  In captivity, [[Lizard|lizards]] and [[Snake|snakes]] that are kept below their [[Preferred optimum temperature zone|POTZ]] are immunocompromised and are therefore predisposed to infection with opportunistic pathogens.

The immune system of [[Lizard|lizards]] and [[Snake|snakes]] is influenced by age, nutrition, general health, ambient temperature and season (refer to [[Snake Physical Examination|snake physical examination]] and [[Snake Housing|snake housing]]).  In temperate species thymic involution and splenic follicle regression occur seasonally. Antibody production is temperature dependent. The immune system functions most efficiently within a reptile's [[Preferred optimum temperature zone|preferred optimum temperature zone]] although at a low level in comparison to birds and mammals.  In captivity, [[Lizard|lizards]] and [[Snake|snakes]] that are kept below their [[Preferred optimum temperature zone|POTZ]] are immunocompromised and are therefore predisposed to infection with opportunistic pathogens.