Deadly Fungal and Parasitic Infections Threaten Rattlesnake Populations

Wild snakes found in the southeastern United States are facing a severe crisis due to aggressive fungal infections and parasitic infestations. A recent study published in the journal Frontiers in Veterinary Science reveals that resident snakes in this region are simultaneously affected by multiple diseases. Among these, a deadly fungal disease known as ‘ophidiomycosis’ poses a significant threat to their survival.

Researchers collected and tested samples from over 500 wild snakes representing 29 different species across various reservation areas in the southeastern US. According to Dr. Corina Missin of the University of Georgia, more than 80 percent of the tested snakes were found to be infected. The ‘Pygmy Rattlesnake,’ a venomous species native to the area, was identified as the most severely impacted by this outbreak.

This snake species was found to be infected with both the lethal fungal pathogen and a lung parasite known as ‘snake lungworm.’ The study revealed that 44 percent of the snakes carried two or more infectious agents concurrently. Additionally, 63 percent of the snakes harbored Salmonella bacteria, and 53 percent were infected by parasitic pathogens. Notably, 18 percent of the snakes were infected with Mycoplasma bacteria, which are resistant to antibiotic treatment and adversely affect the respiratory system.

This marks the first documented presence of such bacteria in wild snakes in the United States. Scientists explain that infection by one disease weakens the snakes’ immune system, making them vulnerable to secondary infections. The Pygmy Rattlesnake primarily feeds on lizards and frogs, contributing to the transmission of lung parasites in their respiratory systems. With the destruction of their natural habitats accelerating, wildlife conservationists express deep concern that this internal health crisis could push rattlesnake populations toward extinction.