Serpentovirus (python nidovirus) infection

Also known as: Python nidovirus

Python nidovirus, now classified among the serpentoviruses, is a contagious viral cause of respiratory disease in pythons, especially ball pythons. The virus targets the respiratory and oral epithelium, producing mucus, open-mouth breathing, oral plaques, and progressive pneumonia. Infection is often chronic and can be fatal, with subclinical carriers helping it spread silently in collections. It has emerged as a major cause of respiratory disease in captive ball pythons.