New Fungal Disease Confirmed in Virginia’s Wild Snakes

Snake Fungal Disease (SFD) is an emerging disease believed to be impacting wild snake populations.  Recent field research efforts have confirmed SFD in three species of snakes found in southeastern Virginia earlier this year.  These mark the first documented presence of the fungus in Virginia.  In total, five nonvenomous snakes tested positive for the fungus including one brown watersnake, two northern watersnakes, and two northern black racers.  The research, conducted by Amanda Guthrie, DVM, DACZM of the Virginia Zoo with support from the Virginia Herpetological Society (VHS), will continue in 2015.

More at link: http://virginiaherpetologic.ipage.com/blog/?p=36