Snake Fungal Disease: Emerging Epidemic Feared

[findi]

Hi All,
Recently I reported on a study that documented declines of 50-90% in 17 populations of 8 snake species (please see article linked below). These findings brought to mind the global amphibian decline that was first uncovered in 1990. Since then, an emerging disease caused by the fungus Batrachochytrium dendrobatitis has likely caused the extinctions of over 100 frog species. Researchers seeking to avoid a similar crisis among the world’s snakes have now identified an emerging illness, Snake Fungal Disease, as cause for serious concern. Associated with a newly-described fungus, Chrysosporium ophiodiicola, the disease has been found in several species in 9 states (USA), but is likely much more widespread. Read article here http://bit.ly/1bHPrVb
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My Bio, with photos of animals I’ve been lucky enough to work with http://bitly.com/LC8Lbp. Thanks, Frank

 

[pitbulllady]

This disease is quite common in Water Snakes, and very often if the snake recovers, it will lose one or both eyes, since the eyes are generally where the fungus starts to manifest itself. I've cleared up the skin nodules using full-strength Melaleuca Tea Tree oil, but have not found anything that will clear up the infection if it's in the eye of the snake.

pitbulllady

 

[findi]

This disease is quite common in Water Snakes, and very often if the snake recovers, it will lose one or both eyes, since the eyes are generally where the fungus starts to manifest itself. I've cleared up the skin nodules using full-strength Melaleuca Tea Tree oil, but have not found anything that will clear up the infection if it's in the eye of the snake.

pitbulllady

Hi, Thanks for your input; I'm not sure we are talking about the same condition, as the fungus responsible was only described in April of this year, and much remains unknown re it's natural history and treatment,

Best regards, Frank

 

[Entomancer]

Oh, crap.

I was just reading about this yesterday and thinking "I really hope this doesn't end up like chytridiomycosis".

And I really hope it doesn't escape the US.

 

[findi]

Oh, crap.

I was just reading about this yesterday and thinking "I really hope this doesn't end up like chytridiomycosis".

And I really hope it doesn't escape the US.

Hi,

Thanks...as with Chytrid, it could very well be that the organism is widespread, but causes different effects in various habitats, depending on other stresses, etc. Unfortunatly, research funds end to be scarce...i.e. Chytrid was ID'd as a concern over 20 years ago. best, Frank

 

[Entomancer]

Wait, if you worked on this, what do you know about it's distribution (the Cryptosporium species) currently?

Do you know if this is the result of fungus carried in on a snake species from another continent?

 

[findi]

Wait, if you worked on this, what do you know about it's distribution (the Cryptosporium species) currently?

Do you know if this is the result of fungus carried in on a snake species from another continent?

Hi,

The fungus believed responsible (please see article; this has not been confirmed) was only described as a new species within the last 2 months; not much is known about its distribution, means of transport, etc.

I'll post updates when available.

Best, Frank
The

 

[Shrike]

Hi Frank,

I took your advice and got in touch with USGS regarding the rough green snake I photographed:

They put me in touch with a researcher at the University of Wisconsin who gave me the following reply:

Thank you for sending along your observation and pictures. We cannot diagnose Snake Fungal Disease without having actual samples from the animal, but the signs on that snake do look consistent with the disease. In addition to the lumps on the animal's body, it also looks like the lower jaw may be infected, which is common in many snakes with this disease. The other thing that I find very interesting is the color of the lesions on the body. The typical coloration in this species is the result of a mixture of yellow and blue pigments (there actually are no green pigments in the skin). When green snakes die, they turn blue because the yellow pigment deteriorates much more quickly than the blue pigment. I suspect that the skin in those infected areas is dying which is giving the lesions the blue coloration.

As far as the other snakes in the area are concerned, I would keep an eye out for additional cases. However, I would not be too alarmed just yet. We are finding that these infections are quite widespread, but may only be having impacts on populations under certain circumstances (we are currently studying this). We are not sure whether most snakes eventually overcome the infections or go on to develop more severe disease. It is good to know that the snake you observed was otherwise acting healthy. I have seen snakes with less severe infections acting lethargic.

If you encounter freshly dead snakes with signs of the disease (which I realize almost never happens), feel free to contact me and our lab may be able to test the animal. We can also sometimes test biopsies (if their collection is coordinated through the appropriate state agency and conducted by a veterinarian) and even shed skins if they contain signs of infection (the scabs or thickened areas of skin are usually obvious on the shed skins).

Just yesterday, I found another snake at the same site with what looked like the start of similar symptoms:

It's sad to see such a beautiful species afflicted this way.