Snakes are endangered in many places around the world. Diseases are often caused by parasites and fungi and are thought to be one of the key factors, along with habitat destruction. Prominent among the fungal diseases is ophidimycosis (also known as snake mycosis), which is caused by fungi. Ophidiomyces Ofhidicola (oh). In the 20 years since its discovery, it has been found in many snake species.
To obtain an evidence-based overview of snake health, researchers in the southeastern United States investigated seven pathogens in wild native snakes and compared their prevalence across time, space, and among snake species. The result is Frontiers of veterinary medicine.
fungi oh and parasites Raylietiera orientalis (Ro), It is believed to be the most important source of infection for free-ranging snakes in the southeastern United States. We also showed that increased risk of ophidiomycosis was strongly associated with co-infection in free-ranging native snakes. ”
Dr. Corinna Mishin (formerly Corinna Hazelrig), first author, researcher, University of Georgia
No health photos
For the study, which was funded by the Morris Animal Foundation, researchers captured more than 500 snakes representing 29 species at two wildlife refuges in South Carolina and Florida. They also sampled opportunistically throughout the southeastern United States. Most snakes were captured alive, swabbed, and blood samples taken. Several snake carcasses found on roads and fields underwent full post-mortem examinations, including tissue sampling.
“For about a decade, research on free-ranging snakes has focused almost exclusively on the study of snakes. oh. We wanted to assess the snake’s health on a more comprehensive level and establish a broader perspective,” Mishin said.
No pathogens were detected in just under 20% of all snakes. The most commonly detected pathogen was bacteria salmonella enterica It was found in 63% of snakes. genus HepatozoaIt is a tick-borne parasite and is present in 53% of cases. Another type of bacteria detected in 18% of the snakes was antibiotic-resistant bacteria. Mycoplasma spp.which can cause upper respiratory tract disease, has not been previously reported in wild snakes in the United States.
44% of the snakes were infected with multiple pathogens. The research team found two, three, or four pathogens simultaneously in approximately 29%, 11%, and 3% of the snakes, respectively.
“When an animal becomes sick with an infectious disease, its immune system is compromised, increasing the risk of further worsening of the disease by other infectious agents that may have previously been asymptomatic,” Mishin explained.
fragile rattle
The study also showed that a snake’s species is a predictor of the pathogens it is likely to infect. For example, pygmy rattlesnakes were most likely to suffer from snake fungal diseases. 12 out of 34 people playing with rattles tested positive. and, Many showed signs of illness at the same time, but only 1 out of 55 eastern ribbon snakes and 3 out of 36 ringneck snakes did.
Rattlesnakes were also the most likely host. Ban invasive obligate crustacean parasite commonly known as snake lungworm. Fourteen of the 34 rattlesnakes were infected. In other snake species, the same parasites were found less frequently or not at all, as was the case with the Florida water snake.
“We hypothesize that certain species with declining health in the general population, particularly rattlesnakes, which have historically and currently been at high risk of human persecution, are likely to be more susceptible to subsequent disease transmission,” Mishin said. “Furthermore, the prevalence of pygmy rattlesnakes was expected to increase. Mr. Law This is because they primarily eat lizards and frogs, which are known to carry parasites. ”
Other factors also influenced the likelihood that snakes would host pathogens. For example, the snakes sampled in Georgia were ohbut B Found only in Florida snakes. skin lesions preferred oh Infectious diseases too. Fungal diseases in snakes were detected in more than 30% of snakes with skin lesions, but in only 2% of snakes without skin lesions.
pathogens on the move
Results are limited by the fact that sampling occurred in only a few counties, which may mean that results specifically reflect these habitats. difficulty B Detection of live snakes is done by analyzing feces, but there are other limitations. Snakes generally have long periods between meals, so they don’t always have consistent feces. therefore, B Interest rates may be undervalued.
Nevertheless, the researchers said the results are important for the conservation of native species and the control of invasive species. For example, Burmese pythons and brown anoles, both invasive in the United States, are known to be competent hosts of the parasite. B.
“Our data provides important information about which pathogens native snakes are likely to carry, and which pathogens they are likely to be free of. This can inform actions needed to prevent pathogen escape from captive snakes,” Mishin concluded. “When transporting wildlife, it is essential to consider which pathogens may be transported along with them and the potential downstream effects.”
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Reference magazines:
Hazelrig, C.M.; Others. (2026) Health assessment and multipathogen surveillance of free-ranging snakes native to the southeastern United States. Frontiers of veterinary medicine. DOI: 10.3389/fvets.2026.1754420. https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/veterinary-science/articles/10.3389/fvets.2026.1754420/abstract
