Wild Snakes Carry Fungal and Parasitic Infections
Owners and rescuers of wild snakes should watch for skin lesions and poor body condition.
Updated on Nov. 1, 2026 in Reptiles
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Researchers found fungal and parasitic infections in wild snakes across the southeastern United States, based on a study of 509 snakes representing 29 species sampled between May 2022 and May 2024. The fungus Ophidiomyces ophidiicola turned up in 16.1% of tested snakes, and the parasite Raillietiella orientalis was found in 12.7% of Florida snakes tested.
Why it matters
For reptile keepers and anyone who handles or rescues wild snakes, the findings show that these infections are present in free-ranging populations, not just in captive animals. The study also links the infections to poorer nutritional condition in snakes, which matters for anyone assessing the health of a wild or rescued snake.
The study covered 509 snakes from 29 species, with pygmy rattlesnakes showing a higher likelihood of fungal detection than several other species. The parasite was not detected at the South Carolina or Georgia sampling sites, and all six snakes examined after death at the Florida site had pentastomiasis.
The players
Ophidiomyces ophidiicola
A fungus that causes skin lesions in snakes and was detected in 16.1% of the snakes tested in this study.
Raillietiella orientalis
A parasite detected in 12.7% of Florida snakes tested, likely introduced to South Florida.
The details
Researchers captured snakes through visual searches, road surveys, cover boards, and minnow traps, then collected skin, mouth, and cloacal swabs along with blood and fecal samples where possible. Most live sampling took place at two wetland sites in Volusia County, Florida and Jasper County, South Carolina. Diagnostic cases submitted from states including Louisiana and Tennessee between 2021 and 2024 were included in the broader picture.
Timeline
Free-ranging snakes were examined at Florida and South Carolina wetland sites from May 2022 to May 2024.
Diagnostic cases were submitted from several states between 2021 and 2024.
The Home Front
The findings add to the record of this fungus and parasite moving through wild snake populations across the Southeast. The study's sampling covered free-ranging snakes rather than captive collections, which shifts the picture from isolated cases to a regional pattern.
If you keep a pet snake or care for wild snakes you find, watch for skin lesions, mouth or skin changes, and poor body condition, and schedule a visit with a reptile veterinarian if you notice them. Keep rescued snakes separate from your other animals until a vet has checked them.
The takeaway
Infections in wild snakes can show up as visible skin lesions and are linked to weaker body condition, so a healthy-looking snake is worth a closer look. If you handle wild or rescued snakes, a reptile veterinarian is the right professional to consult about any signs of infection.
Further reading
For more on the animals behind these findings, explore our Reptiles coverage.
Source note: This article includes information reported by The Times of India.
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