Snakes are a vital part of the ecosystem, but their populations have been declining at an alarming rate. One possible cause of the decline in snake populations is Snake Fungal Disease. Artificial cover boards were used to monitor the populations of different species and sample for Snake Fungal Disease. Twenty-five artificial cover board stations were strategically placed throughout Memorial Park Platteville, Wisconsin. Each station consisted of 4 boards with 3 types of materials based on appealing thermal properties for snakes: asphalt, tin, and 2 lengths of plywood. Boards were checked once daily at varying times from March 2018 through November 2018. Snakes discovered under or around artificial cover boards were recorded and swabbed for Snake Fungal Disease. A total of 162 swabs were collected from 144 snakes. Ophidiomyces ophiodiicola, the pathogen which causes Snake Fungal Disease, was detected in 140 out of the 162 swabs collected. Out of the 144 snakes swabbed, 112 snakes tested positive for Ophidiomyces ophiodiicola.
