Eastern kingsnake with possible fungal infection

Dedicated exclusively to field herping.

Moderator: Scott Waters

Post Reply
User avatar
Zach Cava
Posts: 243
Joined: June 7th, 2010, 7:27 pm
Contact:

Eastern kingsnake with possible fungal infection

Post by Zach Cava »

I found my first eastern kingsnake the other day in the NJ pine barrens. It was a cool, windy, and overcast day, so I was surprised to see this juvenile snake out and about. Upon closer inspection I noticed the animal was covered in sores/blisters. Is fungal disease common among eastern kings? I know snakes sometimes emerge from brumation with minor skin lesions that clear up after shedding, but I'm curious if this is something more detrimental, and if so, should I report it somewhere? Thanks!


Image
Eastern Kingsnake (Lampropeltis getula getula) by Zachary Cava, on Flickr


Image
Eastern Kingsnake (Lampropeltis getula getula) by Zachary Cava, on Flickr


Image
Eastern Kingsnake (Lampropeltis getula getula) by Zachary Cava, on Flickr




http://www.zacharycava.net
ackee
Posts: 39
Joined: March 18th, 2015, 8:06 pm

Re: Eastern kingsnake with possible fungal infection

Post by ackee »

Looks like prolonged exposure to extreme dampness, not fungus.
User avatar
Zach Cava
Posts: 243
Joined: June 7th, 2010, 7:27 pm
Contact:

Re: Eastern kingsnake with possible fungal infection

Post by Zach Cava »

ackee wrote:Looks like prolonged exposure to extreme dampness, not fungus.
Well fungi like dampness, right? So what's the actual mechanism relating to extreme dampness that causes these lesions, if not fungal?
ackee
Posts: 39
Joined: March 18th, 2015, 8:06 pm

Re: Eastern kingsnake with possible fungal infection

Post by ackee »

I think these are the typical 'hibernation blisters' I've seen dozens of times, not SFD. These lesions generally disappear after a shed or two in my experience. They are common on snakes that brumate in more moist conditions, like Kingsnakes and the swamp dwelling Timber Rattlesnakes found in the Jersey Pinelands. Several decades ago, when I was an active herper, I'd see what was very likely the same animals with hibernation blisters early in the season become perfectly clear a month or two later.
User avatar
Zach Cava
Posts: 243
Joined: June 7th, 2010, 7:27 pm
Contact:

Re: Eastern kingsnake with possible fungal infection

Post by Zach Cava »

Interesting, thanks for the info! I'm not disputing the fact that snakes often overcome such hibernation blisters, just curious what causes them. Seems plausible that SFD could manifest over a broad range in terms of severity, depending on various factors...
User avatar
WSTREPS
Posts: 509
Joined: June 9th, 2010, 4:03 pm

Re: Eastern kingsnake with possible fungal infection

Post by WSTREPS »

Well fungi like dampness, right? So what's the actual mechanism relating to extreme dampness that causes these lesions, if not fungal?
I'm not making a definitive diagnosis but, blistering is a common issue in snakes. In short. Bacteria levels increase in damp situations. A snake for whatever reason (brumation for example) might hole up in a spot that's overly moist, maybe with poor ventilation for an extended period of time or have its immune system compromised to some degree. Like many common infections opportunistic bacteria are the cause. I have seen a lot of wild snakes with this type of blistering over the years.


Ernie Eison
User avatar
Zach Cava
Posts: 243
Joined: June 7th, 2010, 7:27 pm
Contact:

Re: Eastern kingsnake with possible fungal infection

Post by Zach Cava »

Thanks Ernie. I've notified NJDFW in any case. It's worth emphasizing that it was chilly, overcast, and windy, so it seemed like an unusual time for the snake to be active on the surface, but I don't know much about the species.
Post Reply