Common Conditions in Snakes

Cryptosporidiosis is caused by a microscopic parasite (Cryptosporidium serpentis) that infects the stomach.

Infectious stomatitis is an infection of the mouth, usually bacterial, that often develops when a snake is stressed or kept in poor conditions.

Healthy snakes shed their skin in one piece.

Thermal burns happen when a snake contacts a hot surface such as an unguarded heat lamp, heat rock, or malfunctioning heat pad.

Ophidian paramyxovirus (ferlavirus) is a contagious virus that mainly causes respiratory disease.

Refusing food (anorexia) can be normal for some snakes during shedding, breeding season, or cooler months, but can also signal illness.

Snake fungal disease (ophidiomycosis) is caused by the fungus Ophidiomyces ophidiicola.

Inclusion body disease is a serious, contagious viral disease of boas and pythons caused by reptarenaviruses.

Respiratory infections in snakes are usually bacterial and are most often triggered by husbandry problems, especially enclosures that are too cool, too damp, or dirty.

Snake mites (Ophionyssus natricis) are tiny blood-sucking parasites that live on snakes and in their enclosures.