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  1. #1
    "PM Boots For Custom Title" Jeff B's Avatar
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    Snake Fungus in the US

    Date: Thu 25 Apr 2013
    Source: Canadian Cooperative Wildlife Health Centre (CCWHC)/Healthy Wildlife
    [edited] <Snake Fungal Disease in the United States – NWHC Wildlife Health Bulletin | Healthy Wildlife>


    Snake fungal disease (SFD) is an emerging disease in certain populations of wild
    snakes in the eastern and midwestern United States. While fungal infections were
    occasionally reported in wild snakes prior to 2006, recently the number of
    free-ranging snakes with fungal dermatitis submitted to the USGS National Wildlife
    Health Center (NWHC) and other diagnostic laboratories has been increasing.
    Laboratory analyses have demonstrated that the fungus _Chrysosporium ophiodiicola_
    is consistently associated with SFD, but often, additional fungi are isolated from
    affected snakes. At this time, definitive evidence that _C. ophiodiicola_ causes SFD
    is inconclusive.
    As its name implies, SFD is only known to afflict snakes.

    Several agencies, organizations, researchers, and other key stakeholders, including
    the NWHC, are working together to investigate this potentially emerging disease and
    to learn more about the impacts that SFD is having on snake populations in the
    eastern and midwestern United States. We encourage conservation agencies and natural
    resource managers to contact the NWHC if snakes with clinical signs consistent with
    SFD are encountered.

    For [additional information and] the full NWHC wildlife health bulletin [including
    photos], please visit
    <https://www.nwhc.usgs.gov/disease_in...al_disease.jsp>
    and
    <http://www.nwhc.usgs.gov/publication...al_Disease.pdf>.

    --

    [While this article encourages caution regarding the causative organism, in 2009
    isolation and characterization of _Chrysosporium ophiodiicola_ from a mycotic
    granuloma of a black rat snake (_Elaphe obsoleta obsoleta_) were reported. Analysis
    of the sequences of different fragments of the ribosomal genes demonstrated this
    species belongs to the order Onygenales and that it is genetically different from
    other morphologically similar species of _Chrysosporium_. This new species is unique
    in having both narrow and cylindrical-to-slightly clavate conidia and a strong,
    pungent odor.

    Because it was reported in 2009, and now reported from a government organization
    that has likely been tracking occurrences, it may be a reasonable assumption that
    snake fungal disease has spread significantly and that what was reported in 2009 is
    not an isolated event.

  2. #2
    T. radix Ranch guidofatherof5's Avatar
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    Re: Snake Fungus in the US

    Thanks for the info.
    Steve
    5 awesome kids!
    Emmy, Kale, Molly, Gabby, Hailee
    They are not just snakes. They're garter snakes.
    http://www.youtube.com/user/thamnophis14?feature=mhee

  3. #3
    "PM Boots For Custom Title" Selkielass's Avatar
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    Re: Snake Fungus in the US

    This looks just like infections and deformed scales/scale rot I see regularly on wild snakes in my area.
    (Lake st Claire flows into the Detroit river, and from there into lake Ontario, where this has been documented.)
    I have one sweet girl currently in my care who has an inch long section of deformed scales above her vent.

    I've treated it as a standard scale rot/infection. Dry substrate, betadine baths, and antibiotic ointment on infections.
    All my rescues well enough to eat w good appetite have recovered, tho all continue to show scars in affected areas.

    See posts about 'Cranky' to see some pics of what I've been seeing. Cranky is still doing great.

    ETA: post about Cranky. Pics of recovered snake on page 3.
    http://www.thamnophis.com/forum/urge...ning-lump.html

    Ill see if I can manage pics of Sunny belly later. She's on the mend (one shed) but still has considerable scale deformation. Ill call the nature center later to see if anyone in Michigan is studying this.
    Last edited by Selkielass; 05-02-2013 at 06:30 AM.

  4. #4
    T. radix Ranch guidofatherof5's Avatar
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    Re: Snake Fungus in the US

    Does anyone know of any photos of this SFD? Confirmed cases.
    There seems to be some photos out there but nothing confirming Chrysosporium ophiodiicola (SFD)
    Steve
    5 awesome kids!
    Emmy, Kale, Molly, Gabby, Hailee
    They are not just snakes. They're garter snakes.
    http://www.youtube.com/user/thamnophis14?feature=mhee

  5. #5
    "PM Boots For Custom Title" Jeff B's Avatar
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    Re: Snake Fungus in the US

    Steve if you follow the first link there is lots of pictures

  6. #6
    T. radix Ranch guidofatherof5's Avatar
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    Re: Snake Fungus in the US

    OK, Thanks.
    Steve
    5 awesome kids!
    Emmy, Kale, Molly, Gabby, Hailee
    They are not just snakes. They're garter snakes.
    http://www.youtube.com/user/thamnophis14?feature=mhee

  7. #7
    Never shed Billy_80's Avatar
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    Re: Snake Fungus in the US

    We'll keep a keen eye up here in the NW.
    Ever1st

  8. #8
    "PM Boots For Custom Title" Selkielass's Avatar
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    Re: Snake Fungus in the US

    Just heard from Jeff Lorch at the university of Wisconsin, Madison about collecting samples of infected snakes for testing.

    Ill ask permission to share his correspondence here.
    They are definitely looking for samples of possibly infected snakes to confirm infection, and to add to their map.

  9. #9
    T. radix Ranch guidofatherof5's Avatar
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    Re: Snake Fungus in the US

    Quote Originally Posted by Jeff B View Post
    Steve if you follow the first link there is lots of pictures
    That will teach me to read more then the first page. I bookmarked it and then ask a stupid question. DUH.
    Steve
    5 awesome kids!
    Emmy, Kale, Molly, Gabby, Hailee
    They are not just snakes. They're garter snakes.
    http://www.youtube.com/user/thamnophis14?feature=mhee

  10. #10
    Adult snake
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    Re: Snake Fungus in the US

    Quote Originally Posted by Selkielass View Post
    Just heard from Jeff Lorch at the university of Wisconsin, Madison about collecting samples of infected snakes for testing.

    Ill ask permission to share his correspondence here.
    They are definitely looking for samples of possibly infected snakes to confirm infection, and to add to their map.
    Does your contact have a scientific collection permit? I'll keep an eye out but I'd have to be on someone's permit to collect most of the species I come across (meaning I'll grab it, but I'm not going to mail it unless I'm legal).
    Not that Steve, a different Steve

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