Snake Fungal Disease was first confirmed in a captive rat snake in 2006 and has since been identified in seven species of wild snakes across the Eastern and Midwest United States. The disease is thought to be caused by the fungus Ophidiomyces (formerly Chrysosporium) ophiodiicola, though this is not yet the definitive cause of SFD. It has been reported in snakes in Florida, Illinois, Massachusetts, Minnesota, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, South Carolina, Tennessee, and Wisconsin.
Scientists are uncertain how snakes acquire the disease, but it has devastating and usually fatal consequences for infected individuals. The United States Geological Survey National Wildlife Health Center has collected evidence of the fungus on several non-venomous and venomous snakes, including: – Northern water snake (Nerodia sipedon) – Eastern racer (Coluber constrictor) – Rat snake (Pantherophis obsoletus species complex) – Timber rattlesnake (Crotalus horridus) – Massasauga (Sistrurus catenatus) – Pygmy rattlesnake (Sistrurus miliarius) – Milk snake (Lampropeltis triangulum) The disease is particularly devastating as it attacks the mouth and face area, preventing snakes from eating and drinking. Symptoms include scabs, crusty scales, separation of the outermost skin layer from the underlying skin, cloudy eyes even when not in shed, and facial swelling. Some species show no outward signs, but the fungus is found in the lungs during necropsy.
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