The article, titled "Fungus that kills 40% snakes is spreading through snake burrows," first appeared on the AZ Animals website.
Reptiles aren't usually the first animals considered as potential victims of fungal infections. While mammals are more susceptible to disease, snakes are not immune to the impact of pathogen evolution. Now, scientists have presented a new study showing that snakes are not only vulnerable, but many have already fallen victim to deadly fungal and parasitic infections. These invisible threats are already causing enormous damage, particularly to venomous snake populations, and show no signs of slowing down.
Fungal disease of snakes is the biggest threat.
Ophidiomycosis, also known as snake fungal disease, is a "silent killer." The fungus that causes the infection is, Ophidiomyces ophidiicola , first identified in 2006 after a case of disease among rattlesnakes in New Hampshire, now threatens a significant number of species both within and outside the United States.
Rattlesnakes are particularly susceptible to diseases that devastate snake burrows.
©Dennis W Donohue/Shutterstock.com
Although direct transmission from snake to snake is not the primary route of infection, the fungus Ophidiomyces ophidiicola , which causes fungal diseases in snakes, can spread through contaminated environments. The fungus can live on the walls of snake burrows. One of the biggest challenges is detection. Ophidiomyces ophidiicola — has a long incubation period. It ranges from 30 to 37 days, although some symptoms appear as early as 12 days. A characteristic sign of the fungal infection in snakes is facial swelling. It causes swelling around the eyes and in the nasal cavity, affecting nodules on the snake's body, and then spreads to the throat and lungs. Mortality rates for this type of systemic infection can vary greatly depending on the snake species and environmental conditions, with some studies reporting rates of up to 40% in certain populations.
A deadly parasite has taken up residence in the house.
While fungal infections in snakes occur due to organic matter in the soil that the snake feeds on Ophidiomyces ophidiicola , a parasite that affects the respiratory system of snakes, is transmitted through their prey. Raillietiella orientalis , also known as snake lungworm, is killing predatory snake species at an alarming rate.
This parasite preys on amphibians, small lizards, and cockroaches, waiting for a new host. Once the snake consumes the infected prey, the parasite Raillietiella orientalis wreaks havoc. It migrates to the snake's lungs, where it remains, feeding on the lungs' vital blood supply. Experts speculate that this parasite was introduced to North America via invasive Burmese pythons, which are relatively resistant to the parasite and likely served as the initial vector for its spread among native snakes.
Raillietiella orientalis , known as snake lungworm, infects snakes through the food they eat.
©David A Litman/Shutterstock.com
Unfortunately, native snake species across North America are not as resilient. The parasite has already infected at least 13 other species in Florida and southern Georgia. Once infected, the parasite destroys the snakes' lungs, which in most cases is fatal. In addition to respiratory problems, snakes also suffer from anorexia and emaciation due to a lack of blood supply and nutrient absorption. Unfortunately, one common snake species has proven particularly vulnerable to the parasite. Raillietiella orientalis .
More than half of the snakes tested were infected.
The study, funded by the Morris Animal Welfare Foundation, tested more than 500 snakes from sanctuaries in Florida, Georgia, and South Carolina, the latter being a new area for research into fungal infections in snakes and Raillietiella orientalis . A total of 29 species were tested, and more than half of them were infected with multiple pathogens.
The results were as follows:
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63% patients tested positive for Salmonella enterica.
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53% of those examined were found to have a tick-borne infection caused by bacteria of the genus Hepatozoon .
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18% patients were found to have drug-resistant mycoplasmas .
The results show that 44% of all tested snakes had more than one pathogenic infection. Of these, 29% were simultaneously carriers of two pathogens, 11% were carriers of three, and the remaining 3% were found to have four pathogens. An important takeaway from these data is that snakes already infected with one pathogen are more likely to acquire additional infections, which can spread quickly and increase mortality. For an already sick snake, a fungal infection, such as that caused by Ophidiomyces ophidiicola, becomes a death sentence.
Pygmy rattlesnakes are at the highest risk for deadly fungal and parasitic infections.
©Suzanna Ruby/Shutterstock.com
Of all the snake species studied, one proved more susceptible than the others: the rattlesnake. The pygmy rattlesnake was the most vulnerable, as it was more frequently diagnosed with fungal infections. Rattlesnakes were also more likely to have lungworm infestations overall. This species consumes more infected prey. Raillietiella orientalis , which increases the risk of infection. Although snakes generally pose little risk in terms of pathogens, this study shifts the focus to areas where reptile conservation is essential.
The article, titled "Fungus that kills 40% snakes is spreading through snake burrows," first appeared on the AZ Animals website.