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Rare Fungal Disease Makes Snakes Look Like ‘Mummies’

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Snake Fungal Disease (SFD) causes some infected snakes to have crusted scales, cloudy eyes, and a swollen or disfigured face. (Photo Credit: The California Department of Fish and Wildlife)

A newly emerging disease is causing snakes’ skin to scab, crust, and have a discolored appearance, according to California wildlife officials.

The California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) recently confirmed the state’s first case of “snake fungal disease (SFD)” in a California kingsnake (Lampropeltis californiae) from Amador County.

The snake, which was suffering from severe skin disease, was found by a member of the public on the side of the road and taken to Tri County Wildlife Care for rehabilitation. Due to its poor health and the potential presence of SFD, it was humanely euthanized by CDFW’s Wildlife Investigations Lab and sent to the University of Illinois, where post-mortem testing confirmed that it was infected with Ophidiomyces ophiodiicola, the fungus connected to SFD.

CDFW says SFD cases can be mild to life-threatening and may include the following symptoms: Crusted scales, scabs, skin ulcers or nodules, discolored scales, cloudy eyes, and a swollen or disfigured face. Live Science reported that SFD can cause snakes to appear like “mummies” after they’ve come into contact with the disease.

 

Snakes can get infected by the Ophidiomyces ophiodiicola fungus, which resides in soil and can be passed on to snakes through skin cuts or direct contact with other infected snakes. Serpents that share the same space may be at greater risk compared to snakes that live by themselves.

The original case above is not an isolated incident, according to the CDFW: SFD was first characterized in 2008 and has been detected in more than 30 snake species in Europe and the U.S. The fungus has been found in at least 23 states, however, this detection in California is the furthest west the disease has been observed.

“It is unknown if SFD will impact snake populations in California,” the CDFW said in a statement. “There is no evidence that SFD is transmittable from snakes to humans.”

CDFW will be collaborating with wildlife rehabilitators, academic and agency partners, and other snake experts to monitor SFD in California and execute precautions to minimize the risk for human-caused spread among serpents.

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