01 Snake Fungal DiseaseNext
Photo taken in western Lake Erie, Ohio, of a northern water snake infected with snake fungal disease, causing crusty scales and fluid-filled blisters on scales (Credit: USGS National Wildlife Health Center photo by D.E. Green) Photo taken in New Jersey of an eastern rat snake with fungal infection, causing impaired vision and sense of smell due to cloudy eyes and crusty scales on the nose (Credit: USGS National Wildlife Health Center photo by D.E. Green) Photo taken in New Jersey of an eastern rat snake infected with snake fungal disease, causing the formation of yellow to brown crusts on scales (Credit: USGS National Wildlife Health Center photo by D.E. Green)An eastern rat snake with potential snake fungal disease, causing cloudy eyes and an impaired nose with crusty scales (Credit: USGS National Wildlife Health Center photo by D.E. Green) Photo taken in New York of an eastern racer with fungal disease, causing discoloration on the belly scales, and potential crusts are beginning to form (Credit: USGS National Wildlife Health Center photo by D.E. Green)
Found in:Overview
Snake fungal disease, also known as ophidiomycosis, is an emerging infection caused by the fungus Ophidiomyces ophiodiicola. This fungal pathogen (i.e., microorganism that causes disease) was detected in the United States within museum samples in 1945. Snake fungal disease was first observed in wild snakes in North America and has later spread to other parts of the world. In 2006, notable population declines of the timber rattlesnake in the northeastern United States were the first documented cases of snake fungal disease. In 2015, snake fungal disease had spread throughout the eastern United States, causing significant declines in snake populations.
Causes and Transmissions
The fungal pathogen, Ophidiomyces ophiodiicola, is the causative agent of snake fungal disease.