Eastern kingsnake with possible fungal infection

[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!



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



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



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



http://www.zacharycava.net

[Ronquillo08]

That does not look fungal it most likely is lesions that will clear up. I am not an expert, so if questionable contact DNR and show them the pictures.

[chris_mcmartin]

I agree that it doesn't look like SFD, but for those interested in reporting suspected cases:

https://www.fs.fed.us/inside-fs/new-her ... eationists

[Kelly Mc]

Its August, out of season for blistering due to inactivity in a moist space. Unless it was found in a well or something.

It could be a mild trauma from being roughed up by a predator or human idiot right before a shed.

I had a king brought to me with similar that also included abscess in mouth cavity, it had been trapped in shallow water, in an estuary drain for an indeterminate time.

But any derm irregularity right now should be reported, imo.

Infections of all kinds have stages and can present variably.

The first thing I thought of was a small snippet specimen taken to authorities, or even the whole snake. I dont know the legistics of that though.

[Kelly Mc]

I wanted to look at snake closer and see it was bump from posted May. But still I wonder and would be troubled seeing any skin disruptions these days.

[Brian Hubbs]

The snake was posted in May Kelly...those are normal hibernation blisters that clear up within the first two sheds...

[Kelly Mc]

I wanted to look at snake closer and see it was bump from posted May. But still I wonder and would be troubled seeing any skin disruptions these days.

Uh.. yeah. The R side of the post clipped from view (the Date) Brian which is what my above post meant.

[Kelly Mc]

Any breach in the dermis, especially involving a significant plane of surface area, as in what occurs in blistering, inherently creates greater susceptibility to pathogenic agents be they fungal, bacterial, viral.

It isnt a king snake thing, a snake thing or even a herp thing, but a disease thing.

So what is normal might have consequences per infected contact. The timing is troubling too because Spring is rife for Contact.

[Kelly Mc]

And yeah Brian I know the snake is a baby - just making a more general comment about the fungal issue.

[Ronquillo08]

Here are some recent pictures of a Juvenile Eastern Milk with snake fungal disease out of W.V.

[Kelly Mc]

http://www.northeastparc.org/products/p ... aseFAQ.pdf

[Kelly Mc]

Interestingly enough 4.Pathogenesis describes the dermis breach susceptibility dynamic of my previous post, and I just accessed it.

http://pricelab.ca.uky.edu/files/lorch_et_al._2016.pdf