Dying of the Light

Ophidiomyces, often referred to as Snake Fungal Disease (SFD), is a fungal disease that causes skin and deeper systemic infections in snakes. My research aimed to determine if UV light could be used to help diagnose SFD in snakes, as the fungal damage to snake skin glows distinctly under UV light. This photo shows a snake with a clear fungal infection covering most of its body, which will, in due time, kill this snake. SFD is an emerging fungal disease in wild and captive snake populations, potentially caused by increasing environmental temperatures in which the fungus thrives. The staff of Asclepius, commonly recognized as a staff with snakes wrapped around, has been known as the symbol of medicine and healing for centuries. In wildlife conservation, we are frequently confronted with disease and illness attributed to climate change, but this is one of the first widespread diseases to hit the species which symbolizes our veterinary field.Ope