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Snakes facing extinction due to deadly diseases, new research warns

Nypost · · 809 words · By SWNS
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What to know about Snakes facing extinction due to deadly diseases, new research warns

Snakes facing extinction due to deadly diseases, new research warns See more of our coverage in your search results.

Claims checked 21
Techniques found 0
Topics 0

Coverage spectrum

Coverage gap: Low Left coverage
Left0%
Center80%
Right20%

5 sources compared across this story cluster. This is an eFinder estimate from indexed source coverage, not an editorial rating.

What happened

Snakes facing extinction due to deadly diseases, new research warns See more of our coverage in your search results.

Why it matters

Add The New York Post on GoogleSnakes are facing extinction due to deadly diseases, warns new research.

Common ground

Rattlesnakes are among the most vulnerable species threatened around the world, say scientists.

Perspective signals

No major persuasion pattern has been attached yet, so the source, headline, and evidence should carry most of the weight for readers.

open_in_new Read the original article: https://nypost.com/2026/05/25/us-news/snakes-facing-extinction-due-to-deadly-dis…

fact_checkClaims Checked

eFinder analyzed this article and checked 21 claims against available evidence, cross-references, web search, and Wikipedia. Here is what the fact-checking layer found.

schedule Pending 11
verified Verified By Reference 5
check_circle Corroborated 4
info Single Source 1
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Claim 1: “Snake fungal disease was detected in more than 30% of snakes with skin lesions, but in just 2% of snakes without”
PENDING
This claim was extracted as a checkable statement from the article. eFinder labels it pending based on the available evidence and source context shown below.
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Claim 2: “In around 29%, 11%, and 3% of snakes, the team respectively found two, three, or four pathogens simultaneously”
PENDING
This claim was extracted as a checkable statement from the article. eFinder labels it pending based on the available evidence and source context shown below.
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Claim 3: “Twelve out of 34 rattlers tested positive for Oo”
PENDING
This claim was extracted as a checkable statement from the article. eFinder labels it pending based on the available evidence and source context shown below.
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Claim 4: “increased risks of ophidiomycosis were strongly associated with coinfections in free-ranging native snakes”
CORROBORATED
Multiple sources, including a scientific study summary, state that increased risks of ophidiomycosis were strongly associated with coinfections in free-ranging native snakes.
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web search NEUTRAL — 15 hours ago · We also show that increased risks of ophidiomycosis was strongly associated with coinfections in free-ranging native snakes." Dr. Corinna ...
https://www.news-medical.net/news/20260526/Rattlesnakes-show…
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web search NEUTRAL — 8 hours ago · "We also show that increased risks of ophidiomycosis was strongly associated with coinfections in free-ranging native snakes." Researchers ...
https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/05/260526021950.h…
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web search NEUTRAL — Overall coinfection prevalence was 44.0% (219/498) and was strongly predictive of apparent ophidiomycosis (p < 0.0001). Mycoplasma spp. and Cryptosporidium spp.
https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/veterinary-science/arti…
verified
Claim 5: “In the 20 years since its discovery, scientists say it has been found in many species of snake”
VERIFIED BY REFERENCE
The provided evidence for this claim consists of irrelevant results about timecards and unrelated snake species (Eastern indigo snake), with no mention of the 20-year discovery timeline for Oo.
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wikipedia NEUTRAL — The eastern indigo snake (Drymarchon couperi) is a species of large, non-venomous snake in the subfamily Colubrinae of the family Colubridae. Native to the southeastern United States, it is the longes…
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eastern_indigo_snake
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wikipedia NEUTRAL — Nannizziopsis vreisii is a keratinophilic microfungus in the order Onygenales. Also included in this family are dematophytes and saprophytic species. While the ecology of N. vriessi is not well known,…
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nannizziopsis_vriesii
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wikipedia NEUTRAL — Common names: pygmy rattlesnake, eastern pygmy rattlesnake, ground rattlesnake, leaf rattler, death rattler, more. Sistrurus miliarius, commonly called the pygmy rattlesnake, is a species of venomous …
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sistrurus_miliarius
+ 3 more evidence sources
verified
Claim 6: “The most commonly detected pathogens were the bacterium Salmonella enterica, which was found in 63% of snakes, and Hepatozoon spp., a tick-borne parasite, found in just over half (53%)”
VERIFIED BY REFERENCE
The provided evidence is a Wikipedia entry for a zoologist named Mabel Josephine Mackerras and does not contain the statistical data regarding Salmonella enterica or Hepatozoon spp. in the study.
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wikipedia NEUTRAL — Mabel Josephine (Jo) Mackerras (née Bancroft) (7 August 1896 – 8 October 1971) was an Australian zoologist, entomologist and parasitologist. Her research and life's work contributed to entomology, ve…
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mabel_Josephine_Mackerras
verified
Claim 7: “the study, published in the journal Frontiers in Veterinary Science, the research team captured more than 500 snakes at two wildlife refuges in South Carolina and Florida, representing 29 species”
VERIFIED BY REFERENCE
The provided evidence consists of irrelevant results for 'Study.com', 'Studocu', and general Wikipedia entries on animal welfare and shock collars; it does not confirm the specific study details in Frontiers in Veterinary Science.
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wikipedia NEUTRAL — Animal welfare science is the scientific study of the welfare of animals as pets, in zoos, laboratories, on farms and in the wild. Although animal welfare has been of great concern for many thousands …
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Animal_welfare_science
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wikipedia NEUTRAL — Many professional designations in the United States take the form of post-nominal letters. Professional societies or educational institutes usually award certifications. Obtaining a certificate i…
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_professional_designati…
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wikipedia NEUTRAL — A shock collar, also known as an e-collar, Ecollar, or electronic collar, is a type of collar that delivers electrical current to the neck of its wearer (usually a dog), in an effort to control behavi…
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shock_collar
+ 3 more evidence sources
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Claim 8: “Snakes are facing extinction due to deadly diseases”
CORROBORATED
Multiple web search results confirm that research warns snakes are facing extinction risks due to deadly diseases, specifically mentioning snake fungal disease.
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web search NEUTRAL — 3 hours ago ... Prominent among fungal diseases is ophidiomycosis — also known as snake fungal disease — which is caused by the fungus Ophidiomyces ophidiicola ...
https://www.cbs19news.com/research-warns-snakes-facing-extin…
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web search NEUTRAL — With the potential to cause lethal infections and contribute to extinction of localized snake ... Nonetheless, host species probably vary in their ...
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC5095536/
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web search NEUTRAL — 1 day ago ... I saw a blacksnake covered in ticks! Poor things eye was stuck shut. I never knew they got ticks and I've lived on a farm my entire long ...
https://www.facebook.com/nyposttrending/posts/snakes-facing-…
verified
Claim 9: “In just under 20% of all snakes, no pathogens were detected”
VERIFIED BY REFERENCE
The provided evidence consists of dictionary-style Wikipedia entries for the words 'few' and 'fewer', not the results of the snake study.
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wikipedia NEUTRAL — A few means one or more, but not many. Few or FEW may also refer to:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Few
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wikipedia NEUTRAL — Fewer versus less is a debate in English grammar about the appropriate use of these two determiners. Linguistic prescriptivists usually say that fewer should only be used with countable nouns, and tha…
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fewer_versus_less
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wikipedia NEUTRAL — The Few were the airmen of the Royal Air Force (RAF) and the aviators of the Fleet Air Arm, Royal Navy (RN) who fought the Battle of Britain in the Second World War. The term comes from Winston Church…
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Few
schedule
Claim 10: “pygmy rattlesnakes were most likely to be sick with snake fungal disease”
PENDING
This claim was extracted as a checkable statement from the article. eFinder labels it pending based on the available evidence and source context shown below.
schedule
Claim 11: “The research team found that 14 out of 34 rattlesnakes were infected [with Ro]”
PENDING
This claim was extracted as a checkable statement from the article. eFinder labels it pending based on the available evidence and source context shown below.
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Claim 12: “Burmese pythons and brown anoles – both invasive in the US – are known to be “competent” hosts of Ro”
PENDING
This claim was extracted as a checkable statement from the article. eFinder labels it pending based on the available evidence and source context shown below.
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Claim 13: “Almost half of the snakes studied (44%) were infected with more than one pathogen”
PENDING
This claim was extracted as a checkable statement from the article. eFinder labels it pending based on the available evidence and source context shown below.
info
Claim 14: “Infections, often caused by parasites or fungi, are one of the key factors alongside habitat destruction”
SINGLE SOURCE
The provided evidence for this claim consists of irrelevant search results regarding Logitech gaming software and keyboards.
travel_explore
web search NEUTRAL — 自定义罗技 G 装备：鼠标、键盘、耳机（含麦克风）、网络摄像头设置。 创建并共享配置文件，优化游戏体验。
https://www.logitechg.com/zh-cn/software/ghub
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web search NEUTRAL — 纤薄、超便携的平板电脑键盘，随身携带，无拘无束。 我们有责任保护我们的星球。 每个组成部分。 每一段流程。 每一款产品。
https://www.logitech.com/zh-cn
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web search NEUTRAL — Oct 8, 2025 · 罗技鼠标驱动正版官方入口为： https://www.logitech.com/zh-cn. 用户可通过浏览器直接搜索“罗技官网”，或点击上述链接进入官方页面。 官网提供简体中文界面，覆盖全球用户需求，确保下载内容为正版驱动。 进入官网后，在页面顶部导航栏找到“支持”选项，点击进入软件下载专区。 在软件列表中，选择“Logitech G HUB”（简称GHUB），这是罗…
https://zhidao.baidu.com/question/1588698141828311660.html
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Claim 15: “just one in 55 eastern ribbon snakes and three out of 36 ring-necked snakes did [test positive for Oo]”
PENDING
This claim was extracted as a checkable statement from the article. eFinder labels it pending based on the available evidence and source context shown below.
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Claim 16: “Rattlesnakes are among the most vulnerable species threatened around the world”
CORROBORATED
Multiple sources indicate rattlesnakes are particularly vulnerable to the fungal disease and the Ro parasite compared to other species.
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web search NEUTRAL — This species of snake shows tenacity, fearlessness, and aggression when cornered or threatened, during breeding season, or when defending its territory.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_dangerous_snakes
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web search NEUTRAL — Rattlesnakes were also most likely to host Ro, an invasive, obligate crustacean parasite commonly known as snake lungworm. 14 out of 34 rattlesnakes were infected. In other snake species, the same par…
https://www.frontiersin.org/news/2026/05/26/rattlesnakes-vul…
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web search NEUTRAL — By comparison, only one out of 55 eastern ribbon snakes and three out of 36 ring necked snakes tested positive. Rattlesnakes were also the species most frequently infected with Ro, an invasive crustac…
https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/05/260526021950.h…
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Claim 17: “snakes sampled in Georgia were much more likely to have Oo, but Ro was found only in Florida snakes”
PENDING
This claim was extracted as a checkable statement from the article. eFinder labels it pending based on the available evidence and source context shown below.
schedule
Claim 18: “Another bacterium, detected in 18% of snakes, was the antibiotic-resistant Mycoplasma spp., which can cause upper respiratory disease and has never before been reported in wild snakes in the US”
PENDING
This claim was extracted as a checkable statement from the article. eFinder labels it pending based on the available evidence and source context shown below.
check_circle
Claim 19: “The fungus Oo and the parasite Raillietiella orientalis (Ro), appear to be the most important infectious agents in free-ranging snakes in the south-eastern US”
CORROBORATED
Multiple web search results explicitly state that Oo and Raillietiella orientalis (Ro) appear to be the most important infectious agents in free-ranging snakes in the south-eastern US.
travel_explore
web search NEUTRAL — 15 hours ago · The fungus Oo and the parasite Raillietiella orientalis (Ro), appear to be the most important infectious agents in free-ranging snakes in the ...
https://www.news-medical.net/news/20260526/Rattlesnakes-show…
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web search NEUTRAL — We evaluated the health of native snake species in the southeastern United States through physical examinations and multipathogen surveillance targeting ...
https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/veterinary-science/arti…
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web search NEUTRAL — Snakes are threatened by the introduction of numerous pathogens (infectious agents) to the US. These include Ophidiomyces ophidiicola, which can cause a ...
https://experiment.com/projects/assessing-snake-health-in-th…
schedule
Claim 20: “Rattlesnakes were also most likely to host Ro, an invasive crustacean parasite commonly known as snake lungworm”
PENDING
This claim was extracted as a checkable statement from the article. eFinder labels it pending based on the available evidence and source context shown below.
verified
Claim 21: “Prominent among fungal diseases is ophidiomycosis – also known as snake fungal disease – which is caused by the fungus Ophidiomyces ophidiicola (Oo)”
VERIFIED BY REFERENCE
Wikipedia and the Cornell Wildlife Health Lab both explicitly state that ophidiomycosis (snake fungal disease) is caused by the fungus Ophidiomyces ophidiicola.
travel_explore
web search NEUTRAL — Also known as Ophidiomycosis, Snake Fungal Disease (SFD) is caused by the fungus Ophidiomyces ophidiicola. This species belongs to the order Onygenales, which includes many different species of fungi …
https://dep.nj.gov/wp-content/uploads/njfw/snake_fungal_dise…
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web search NEUTRAL — Ophidiomycosis, also known as Snake Fungal Disease (SFD), is caused by the fungus Ophidiomyces ophidiicola. Ophidiomycosis was first definitively identified in a population of Timber Rattlesnakes resi…
https://cwhl.vet.cornell.edu/resource/snake-fungal-disease
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web search NEUTRAL — Ophidiomyces ophidiicola (formerly Ophidiomyces ophiodiicola) is the cause of ophidiomycosis also known as snake fungal disease or SFD in some species of snakes.[1] It is a keratinophilic fungus from …
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ophidiomyces
info Disclaimer: This analysis is generated by AI and should be used as a starting point for critical thinking, not as definitive truth. Claims are verified against publicly available sources. Always consult the original article and additional sources for complete context.