Source: PHYS ORG
A new study from NC State’s Turtle Rescue Team (TRT), published in the Journal of Zoo and Wildlife Medicine, compiles 25 years of data on snake patients treated alongside the group’s better-known turtle cases. Lead author Savannah Dunn, a 2024 Veterinary graduate, explains that most snake injuries involve plastic netting entanglements, which can act like full-body tourniquets. Some snakes arrive still wrapped in netting and can be released immediately, but others suffer deep tissue damage, loss of circulation, and even necrosis.
Despite severe wounds, many snakes recover due to reptiles’ strong healing ability. The study was inspired by “Problem,” a black rat snake with extensive injuries who ultimately did not survive but prompted a broader review of TRT cases. Dunn emphasizes that both venomous and nonvenomous snakes play vital ecological roles and should not be categorized as “good” or “bad.” She advises contacting professionals for disentanglement, transporting snakes safely in breathable bags, and avoiding plastic garden netting to prevent future injuries.
Read the full story HERE: https://phys.org/news/2025-11-problem-potential-solutions-reptiles.html