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How One Child's Compassion Led To A Groundbreaking Scientific Breakthrough

SNOHOMISH—Boston Divito, Little Cedars Elementary School student, saw a troubling sight on the playground back in December; a few of his classmates were abusing a Garter Snake who had emerged from hibernation to bask. Boston Divito (center front row) with his family and two PAWS employees. Boston rescued the Garter Snake that led to a breakthrough discovery. Source: PAWS.

The students were stomping on the snake, severely injuring the reptile when Boston intervened – standing up to the bullies, informing the school faculty, and calling his mother to transport the injured animal to the nearest wildlife rehabilitation center.

When the Divito family brought the snake to PAWS Wildlife Rehabilitation Center, right off State Route 9, it had been so badly injured that its bones, and bottom jaw, were protruding out of its skin.

Dr. Nicki Rosenhagen, PAWS veterinarian, sedated the snake, trimmed off the exposed bone and added a suture (stitch) to its jaw effectively savings its life.

The Garter Snake rescued by Boston Divito in December of last year when it was brought into PAWS that lead to a breakthrough discovery. Source: PAWS.

However, something much more curious was awry. When conducting surgery, veterinarians working at PAWS noticed an abnormality on the snake's skin, which tests indicated were a rare fungal disease called Paranannizziopsis, of which not much is known among the scientific community.

PAWS partnered with Washington Fish and Wildlife, U.S. Fish and Wildlife, veterinarians and biologists, and researchers nationwide to begin a treatment program for the disease – the first time in U.S. History the disease has ever been treated, according to Dr. Rosenhagen.

"It started out as this little thing – saving a snake, which is great – but then it turned into this really important medical discovery, as far as identifying this disease and then effectively being able to treat it," said Dr. Rosenhagen. "On a bigger scale this may be something that we can share with the world, that we were able to treat this and hopefully support people in the future if they encounter what we did and have success treating this fungus."

Dr. Rosenhagen has submitted a proposal to speak about her findings at the 73rd Annual International Conference of the Wildlife Disease Association in Vancouver, Canada but has not heard back yet. Her team will also likely publish their findings in a scientific journal as well.

The Garter Snake rescued by Boston Divito in December of last year that led to a breakthrough discovery to treat Paranannizziopsis, was released back into the wild on April 9, 2025. Source: PAWS.

The fungal infection was unrelated to the children's abuse. Dr. Rosenhagen suspects that the snake emerged out of hibernation because of its fungal infection, seeking warmth to bolster its metabolism and, by extension, its immune system.

Reptiles, like Garter Snakes, traditionally hibernate in the winter in a process called "brumation." Being cold-blooded animals who rely on their environment for warmth, hibernation, especially in colder climates like Washington, allows the snake to reduce its metabolism and conserve energy. Garter Snakes do this from October through April, often finding dens in rocks or underground and sometimes bundled up with other snakes for warmth.

The hibernation tendencies of Garter Snakes are also why this fungal disease has been so rare to identify and treat over the years.

Paranannizziopsis is different, but closely related to, Snake Fungal Disease (SFD) which has been a serious threat to wild snake populations in the United States and Canada with some populations experiencing a 50% decline in the last year, according to the National Library of Medicine.

At this point it is unknown for certain whether Paranannizziopsis is fatal, Dr. Rosenhagen informed the Lynnwood Times, but its close relationship to the very deadly Ophidiomyces makes it very likely it is. At the very least its symptoms – reduced activity – could be directly responsible for the snake's ability to properly care for itself, which could lead to death.

Incidents of fungal infections in snakes have steadily increased over the years, according to the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife, likely exacerbated by the movement of captive snakes, the Reptile and Amphibian Conservation suspects.

Snakes infected with SFD, and closely related Paranannizziopsis, are highly contagious to other snakes in the environment but there are no known cases of a snake transferring the infection to humans or other animals.

Garter Snakes are especially important to Washington's ecosystem, controlling the populations of pest species like slugs and rodents, while also providing nourishment for mammals, birds, and other snakes resulting in a biodiverse 'food web.'

The injured Garter Snake Boston Divito had the courage, and empathy, to save on December 9 was released back into the wild on Wednesday, April 9, infection free thanks to the innovative treatment of PAWS and its partnerships. Boston Divito at PAWS being recognized for his courageous and empathic actions that rescued a Garter Snake from being abused which eventually led to a breakthrough in treating Paranannizziopsis. Source: PAWS.

Though the snake was rehabilitated, and treated, within two months of being brought in by Boston and his family, PAWS intentionally waited until Spring, when the weather was beginning to warm, to reintroduce the snake.

What may result from one child's bravery and compassion towards an animal's life could result in countless snakes' lives saved in the future.

"We at PAWS are super grateful that Boston intervened and saved this little snake because he most certainly would have died without him stepping in," said Dr. Rosenhagen. "Honestly, it's really heartwarming and really rejuvenating for us, who work in this field, who see a lot of intentional and unintentional cruelty to animals, to see someone step in and stand up to his schoolmates to do the right thing. But not only did he save this little snake, he may have helped us save a lot of animals in the future."

Boston's family originally had plans of visiting Palm Springs for Spring Break, but he pleaded with his parents to postpone the trip so that he could attend the reintroducing of the snake back into the wild. His parents, including his father, who has a phobia of snakes, were right there by his side showing his son support.

The Garter Snake was released back near Little Cedars Elementary, though on the other side of the playground in the greenery. Dr. Rosenhagen informed the Lynnwood Times that reptiles have high sight fidelity so need to be released back into the environment they came from, but also when dealing with a disease which little is known it's important to release an animal back where they were found to avoid potential cross-contamination.

"He was negative in all of our test results but when dealing with a disease that we don't know much about we can't be 100% certain there isn't something internal that might manifest later," said Dr. Rosenhagen. "So, when dealing with disease that we're just learning about the last thing we want to do is release him in a brand-new location and unintentionally spread it."

Still, she's confident the abusive situation will not repeat. As the weather warms up in Washington the likelihood of the snake seeking warmth on the playground concrete reduces, but also Principal Anne Nielsen, of Little Cedars Elementary, spoke to the children involved in the incident and how Boston did the right thing.

PAWS plans to release a second Garter Snake, which was also successfully treated for Paranannizziopsis, back into the Billy Frank Jr. Nisqually Wildlife Refuge later today.

75,000 Snakes Swarm To Narcisse: Inside The World's Largest Snake Gathering

In Manitoba, Canada, you can find the world's largest concentration of snakes at the Narcisse Snake Dens. Each year, around 75,000 red-sided garter snakes gather in these dens, which are limestone sinkholes offering shelter from the extreme cold. While the area can experience temperatures as low as -45 degree celcius, the sinkholes provide a warmer environment for the snakes to survive. Despite being about the size of a living room, these sinkholes become temporary homes for tens of thousands of snakes, creating a remarkable natural spectacle.

According to a November 2023 study published in Behavioural Ecology, some snakes mingle not too differently from other social animals around us. Butler's garter snakes, for example, show a complex social structure sorted by age and sex.

According to Forbes, these dens provide perfect hibernation conditions for red-sided garter snakes. A subspecies of the common garter snake, Thamnophis sirtalis parietalis, red-sided garter snakes are found across North America. However, the unique environment of Manitoba's Interlake region offers conditions unlike anywhere else.

Here, winter routinely drops below -30 degree celcius, and snow buries the prairie for nearly half the year. For an ectotherm whose body temperature hinges on the temperature in its surroundings, that would be a death sentence. But beneath the wind-scoured fields of Narcisse lies a subterranean sanctuary forged by time. The bedrock here is limestone-soft, porous and ancient.

Roughly 450 million years ago, this ground was the floor of a tropical sea teeming with marine life. Over aeons, water dissolved the calcium carbonate, etching deep fissures and caverns into the stone. These underground sinkholes and crevasses stretch several metres below the surface-deep enough to stay below the frostline but just above the water table.

How Fear Leads To Unnecessary Snake Deaths — And Why We Need To Find A Better Way

Angry Northern Pacific Rattlesnake in defensive posture. Santa Clara County, California, USA.© yhelfman/Shutterstock.Com

When an Eastern Massasauga Rattlesnake was found dead — having been senselessly killed on the grounds of the University of Michigan's Matthaei Botanical Gardens, there was quite a response to the gardens' social media post urging people to be kind to these reptiles. The post simply requested that rather than killing the snake, whoever encountered this shy, reclusive species could simply have maneuvered around it. Instead, whoever encountered the snake on the grounds let fear take hold and that person's misunderstanding of the snake led to its death, an act that was both unnecessary and illegal at once.

Unfortunately, snakes are often the victims in these encounters, with many individuals preferring to kill on sight rather than take a more thoughtful approach. Their fearsome reputation precedes them, even though most snakes (including venomous ones) would rather leave humans well enough alone.

Despite our instinctual fear of these slithering reptiles, the average person may not know what to do when they encounter a snake. Avid hikers, rock climbers, and even the average campus student may find themselves face-to-face with a snake and be uncertain about how to proceed.

How can you stay safe while also respecting snakes in their natural habitats? This is your guide for what to do should you encounter any misunderstood snake species — especially venomous ones.

Encountering Snakes in Nature: How to Stay Safe

Simply staying aware protects you from most snakes.

©Matt Jeppson/Shutterstock.Com

Prevention and awareness are the first steps you can take to stay safe while in a snake's natural habitat. Whether you're hiking in rattlesnake country or a humble garter snake's territory, here are some tips and tricks to avoid any snake encounters.

Always Hike in Long Pants and Boots

Regardless of the season, hiking, walking, or climbing in long, durable pants and ankle-length boots is always the way to go. While snake bites can happen when you least expect them, their fangs and bites are rarely powerful enough to puncture strong fabrics. Protecting these parts of your body (one of the areas snake bites most commonly occur) will give you peace of mind.

Maintain Awareness of Sights and Sounds

One of the main reasons snake bites occur is because humans don't see them in time and get too close. Keeping your eyes peeled for any abnormal movements or silhouettes on your trail is necessary. Likewise, hiking in headphones isn't a wise idea. Many snakes have unique ways of warning humans of their presence, such as rattling their tails, hissing, or rustling surrounding leaves. Pay attention and you'll stay safe.

Many experts discourage hiking in headphones because snake behaviors are easily missed.

©Nikolas_jkd/Shutterstock.Com

Timing is Key

Snakes typically hatch in springtime in many regions, which can increase the likelihood of encounters in those areas. However, the level of danger varies depending on the region and snake species. Likewise, spring and summer months leave rocks and pavement hotter than in fall and winter– a snake's favorite thing.

It's far more common to encounter sunning snakes as the seasons change; the time of day matters too. Dusk can be a time when some snakes are active, but activity levels vary by species. It's important to be cautious during this time as visibility is lower. Be aware of these things before planning your next outing!

Bring a Walking Stick or Pole

Utilizing a pole or walking stick can be a useful tool for brushing aside long grasses or debris before potentially stepping into a snake's striking distance. While you should never use your walking stick against a snake in an aggressive manner, it can be a helpful accessory. This is especially true if you're hiking in an overgrown area.

Walking sticks can help clear your path and spot snakes.

©christopher babcock/Shutterstock.Com

Don't Wander Off the Path

Speaking of overgrown areas, snakes tend to avoid locations humans frequent, preferring areas of tall grass and plenty of cover. Simply staying on your hiking trail is a way to stay safe from snakes. While many snakes will sun themselves along open paths, they're less likely to remain there should they sense a human approaching.

Interpreting Snake Behavior: Warning Signs

Snakes don't like us any more than we like them. That's why multiple snake species have specific warning signs they utilize to keep us away. These are some of the most common snake behaviors you'll encounter while hiking and how you should interpret them.

Snakes give humans plenty of warning signs.

Hear a Rattle? Back Away

If you're hiking in virtually any state, particularly the southwest, you're probably in rattlesnake territory. Familiarize yourself with what a rattlesnake's rattle sounds like, as this is often the first (and potentially only) warning you'll receive. Back away from the sound should you hear it, and try to find where the snake is so you can avoid it!

Don't Follow a Fleeing Snake

Regardless of species, never chase after a snake that's attempting to flee. Not only will they likely be too fast for you to catch– there's no reason for you to catch them. Remember: they're more scared of you and don't want any trouble!

If a snake wants to flee, don't chase it.

Coiled Up? Ready to Strike

If you see a snake in a coiled up position, head raised toward you, it's time to back away slowly. Rattlesnakes in particular tend to coil up right before they strike, a defensive and prepared stance. Move calmly but quickly away from the creature, at least ten feet back.

Hissing is a Form of Protection

Besides rattling, hissing is another common sound you may hear while hiking in snake territory. This is another method snakes have of warning humans they're getting too close. Avoid the area where you hear the sound as best as you can!

Even garter snakes will hiss if they feel threatened.

Laying in the Sun? Leave It Be

If you spot a snake on the trail, unmoving in the sunshine, leave it alone. It's simply trying to regain energy and warm up; snakes want to enjoy gorgeous days as much as humans! Give the resting snake a wide berth and go about your business.

How to Handle Encounters With Common Snake Species

In general, you should treat every snake species with respect, regardless of their venomous status. These tips can help you better interact with common snake species of all types, especially if you get surprised on a hike.

Safety should come first if you're hiking in rattlesnake country.

Keep the Snake in Your Sight

Not maintaining awareness is the number one reason snake bites occur. Should you see a snake on a trail, keep your eyes on it until it slithers away or you alter course.

Give the Snake Plenty of Space

By staying outside of a snake's striking distance, you stay safe. Maintain a bubble of 5-10 feet away from any snake, whenever possible.

Stomp a Safe Distance Away

If you spot a snake in your path, stomping or making noise before you get too close can be enough to scare it away. Snakes sense ground vibrations and will readily depart an area humans enter.

Wait it Out

Sometimes, all you can do is wait for a snake to finish sunning and depart your designated trail. If you can't move past a snake without getting too close, take a break a safe distance away. They will move on soon and you can both enjoy your day without putting one another in danger.

The post How Fear Leads to Unnecessary Snake Deaths — and Why We Need to Find a Better Way appeared first on A-Z Animals.

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