01/09/2025
Here’s a VERY IMPORTANT notice for all of my fellow snake catchers.
As many of you know, I also volunteer in wildlife rehabilitation, specifically reptiles and amphibians - with Reptile Rehabilitation Qld Inc.
I had one of these brown snakes in care, daily oral and topical meds, subcutaneous fluids and anti inflammatories every two days… for three weeks. Until the results came back and the only option was euthanasia.
These fungal infections are no joke! They basically rot inside and out. If you actually care about the animals you work with every day, you will take the time to check them over thoroughly, disinfect all equipment after EVERY single catch, one snake, one bag! These fungi are extremely stable outside of the body and live a long time on surfaces etc.
WE need to take action to limit the spread and give these animals a thorough health check and definitely DO NOT release ANY with symptoms! Irresponsible snake catchers are going to be a major cause of this spreading.. don’t let that be you!
⚠️ CALLING ALL SNAKE CATCHERS ⚠️
Our wild (and captive) snakes are facing a serious crisis.
At present there are 3 different fungal infections threatening our slithery friends.
These fungi are highly contagious and at this stage there is no effective treatment available.
In the past month, RRQi has had two confirmed cases in care, both Eastern Brown snakes (Pseudonaja textilis).
When the laboratory tests came back, it confirmed that both snakes were infected by Nannizziopsis AND Ophidiomyces.
These animals were subsequently euthanised and their bodies were sent to UQ for research into possible treatments to combat these highly contagious infections.
ANY snake can carry the fungus, and they can also be asymptomatic (without showing symptoms) to begin with.
The first signs look like bruises, which will develop into lesions that cause open wounds and scale damage - mainly on the belly and on the lower flanks.
Due to the thickening of the scales, shedding problems will occur leaving seeping surface wounds.
It‘s now up to YOU to NOT be a contributor to the spread of this disease!
We urge you to disinfect your gear AFTER EACH CATCH. A spray with F10 WILL NOT CUT IT!
The current recommended disinfection protocol is a minimum of 2 minute environmental exposure (soak) in at least 3% bleach solution or 70% ethanol or a 10 min exposure to 0.16% Roccal or Lysol products.
All the information above doesn’t just apply to snakes, but to ALL kind of reptiles.
Whilst Ophidiomyces ophidiicola only targets snakes, the Nannizziopsis and Paranannizziopsis fungi targets all types of reptiles, from dragons, to snakes, and even crocodiles.
ALL caught animals should get checked thoroughly and if showing signs they need to go to one of the WILDLIFE HOSPITALS.
For more information please refer to the following fact sheet from Wildlife Health Australia
https://wildlifehealthaustralia.com.au/Portals/0/ResourceCentre/FactSheets/Reptiles/Pathogenic_skin_fungi_in_Australian_reptiles.pdf
