The first documentations of the 3-inch-long lungworm in Florida occurred about 10 years ago. Since then it has spread to 27 counties in-state,
The parasite, which travels through the food chain before settling into the lungs of a snake, has infected 17 species of snakes in Florida.
Smaller snakes seem more vulnerable. Smaller snakes, which eat a higher ratio of anoles and other small reptiles and amphibians, suffer the most intense infestations of lungworms, said Palmisano. Those smaller snakes include black racers, coachwhip snakes, and dusky pygmy rattlesnakes (above), the smallest, and some would argue the most beautiful rattlesnake species in the U.S.
Mysterious python parasite threatens Florida’s native snakes, pushing toward their ‘extreme decline’
Python parasite, well crap, the bad news keeps rolling in Florida.
Burmese pythons, are the probable original source of the parasite. Pythons are 2 feet long when they hatch, and can reach 6 or 7 feet in a year.
Yikes, 2 feet!
there are different species of pentastomes (respiratory parasites) that can infect people who eat raw snakes
Say what. Who is eating raw snake!
The worms crawl out the mouth of the snake once it weakens or dies.
Nice!