New Jersey’s two venomous snakes, the timber rattlesnake and northern copperhead, have been persecuted by four centuries of human habitation. Now a spreading fungal infection poses a new threat. Chrysosporium, a common fungus, was initially reported some 15 years ago in reptiles in Canada. It has now reached New Jersey. This fungus was initially thought to target only rattlesnakes, but it was confirmed during the winter of 2010-11 in our state’s rare northern copperhead. Since 2011, a state biologist and volunteers have observed multiple timber rattlesnakes, black rat snakes, black racers and eastern garter snakes with symptoms representative of the Chrysosporium fungal dermatitis. Preliminary tests on a black rat snake and a black racer showed the same fungus. Symptoms include deformed, misshapen or damaged facial pit organs in rattlesnakes and copperheads, and necrotic facial tissue, facial lesions, and deformed or damaged eyes, nostrils and mouths in all snake species. The infection eventually leads to emaciation and death. The fungal spores are transferable within snake populations when snakes interact during mating, fighting, or when they congregate to sun or den. In addition, it’s present in the air and soil. People can transmit the fungal spores on their boots, pants and day packs.
Source: My Central Jersey, February 11, 2013
http://www.mycentraljersey.com/article/20130212/NJOPINION03/302120008/A…
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