Popular Mechanics – by Avery Thompson
Snakes are in trouble. A strange disease is affecting snakes from all over the world, and scientists aren’t quite sure how to fix it. If they don’t figure it out soon, we could be seeing a global snake pandemic that threatens entire ecosystems.
The illness is called Snake Fungal Disease (SFD), and it’s caused by a fungus called Ophidiomyces ophidiodiicola which causes painful legions on the skin of the snakes it infects. Some snakes can molt to remove the fungus, others aren’t so lucky.
SFD has been known to affect a few snake species in North America, but according to a recent paper in the journal Science Advances, it may be spreading. The report states that the fungus may be able to infect nearly any snake on the planet, which means there’s a good chance snake communities across the world could be in jeopardy.
“This really is the worst-case scenario,” said lead study author Frank Burbrink in a statement. “Our study suggests that first responders shouldn’t just be looking for certain types of snakes that have this disease, but at the whole community. All snakes could become infected, or already are infected.”
SFD is made all the more difficult to stop because scientists still don’t know much about it. The fungus that causes it, O. ophidiodiicola, might be spread from snake to snake or the snakes could simply be picking it up from the environment. Scientists also don’t know just how many snake species can be infected, although they have confirmed the fungus targets at least 23 species in the U.S. and three in Europe.
If the researchers are right, and SFD is capable of affecting any snake, then entire ecosystems could be at risk. If snake populations start to suffer, than many other species that interact with them could stuffer as well. SFD could cause major problems, which means there’s actually quite a lot at snake.
Source: Science Advances via Gizmodo
This is great news.
Now I don’t have to worry as much any more about snakes getting into my trailer.
When I’m taking a dump at 3 a.m.
I read somewhere that there’s a huge cobra migration to northern Nevada, they’re targeting 5 gallon home depot buckets. 🙂
Well, they only have one Nevada assignment. From there, they join with rattlers, moccasins, corals and vipers to head to D.C. for covert-op.
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Touche….
I guess someone’s paying attention to my punishment.
But…when I get my bathroom built.
I putting a wet bar and bed in it.
Plus I’m putting in a handicap shower…
Ya know…like the ones in the hotel casinos.
Where you can just piss and sht and vomit all over and the just rinse it down the next day.
Like it never happened.
Ahhhh…
You people r killin me.
Ebay bathroom towels for your consideration:
http://www.ebay.ca/itm/12-KNOW-WHAT-HES-DOING-TOWELS-toilet-joke-towel-TOW-21-novelty-las-vegas-gift/390122545036?hash=item5ad51d9f8c:g:Z00AAOSwQTVWCW-m
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And I’m putting in a bo day…
Beauday…
I don’t know how to spell that frikin word…
Spell check doesn’t either.
This add has been sponsored by…
Hellotushie.com
That might even be a real website.
Bidet.
Want one of those, too.
It was 27 degrees in N Nevada overnight this weekend.
Bidet is the spelling. — 🙂
But on a serious note… The fungus of those snakes is very concerning, almost right up there with the bee crisis. All that poison is doing too much harm. And we have Monsanto with its RoundUp and Glysophate saying they are a benevolent organization offering farmers high yield at affordable prices and therefore helping world-hunger. That’s one for the books: feeding us while they kill us.
And… snakes take care of rodents and then some. The chain needs all its links.
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no joking but it seems fungi are affecting all links along the ‘food’ chain….galen, you may be interested in the work of Patrick Jordan at vaccinefraud.com….
Thanks, Mary. So many fronts to attend to.
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‘which causes painful legions ‘….. a slip perhaps? I think the word is lesions…but….’legions’ = demons…. hmmm…..maybe not a slip eh?
Has it hit DC yet?!
(Laughing)
In the crotch.
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“The fungus that causes it, O. ophidiodiicola, might be spread from snake to snake or the snakes could simply be picking it up from the environment.”
The environment? YA THINK???
Damn shame, I actually like snakes (except the two-footed type, of course).
Had 2 Gopher snakes as pets (at different times)… they’re basically fairly mellow creatures, as long as you’re not on their menu.