Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Units Program: Massachusetts
Education, Research and Technical Assistance for Managing Our Natural Resources

A suspected new fungal skin disease has been identified as a newly emerging threat to snakes, including Species of Greatest Conservation Need such as Massasauga (Sistrurus catenatus) and Timber Rattlesnake (Crotalus horridus) in multiple eastern and Midwestern states. Using data obtained from this regional snake species assessment, the many state partners will utilize an adaptive management framework for development of long-term conservation strategies for up to 40 snake species potentially impacted by the disease. Other conservation actions include evaluation of treatment options, experimental treatment with antifungal agents, captive rearing, and monitoring.