Possible mites? Need advice.

[mrclarke72]

Ive got a spotted python that i suspect may have mites. A month ago i found tiny black dots at the bottom of his hide rock, so completely cleaned out his cage and replaced substrate with newspaper, inspected his body thoroughly and couldn't see any attached to the snake. So ive been keeping a close eye on him. And today i found one or two dots but im not even sure if there mites though, like they could be bits of bark or wood or fecal matter or something. "Ticks and mites are usually found buried under the scales or near the eyes, mouth and nostrils of snakes" There seems to be no abnormalities around the eyes and nostrils, however i have noticed one scale that kind of seems slightly lifted on his body, however hes had that for a while and never thought it was attributed to mites. Just wondering what i should do, whether to quarantine him and get some top of descent or see a vet or anything else?, cause ive heard that once you have mites it is a real pain to get rid of especially if it spreads. Does anyone have any good photos of mites or dead mites or anything like that, or mites that are under the scales.?

 

[Pythoninfinite]

Mites are easy to recognise - small blackish pinhead sized dots, they move (slowly) and if you smear them they leave a brownish smudge of blood. Ticks are almost impossible to squash and are usually firmly attached to the reptile.

A good way to check for mites is to place the snake into a plain, light coloured bag (pillowcase) and check after 24 hours to see if there are any small black things crawling on the fabric.

Jamie

 

[shaye]

whats the best way of getting rid of them if u dont have TOD laying around ??? any ways or not?

 

[mrclarke72]

I'll try the pillowcase. Does it have to be polyester or cotton or anything specific? also when i put him in the pillowcase should i put him back in the enclosure to keep warm? it gets bloody cold at night, or will that be ok for 24 hours?

 

[trader]

I'll try the pillowcase. Does it have to be polyester or cotton or anything specific? also when i put him in the pillowcase should i put him back in the enclosure to keep warm? it gets bloody cold at night, or will that be ok for 24 hours?

if you do use a pillowcase please turn it inside out so the python does not get tangled up in the loose threads inside.

 

[TigerCoastal]

the other thing that you can do is put your snake in some water with a few drops of dishwashing liquid, the mites will drown and you will see what looks like pepper on the bottom of the container. Even just check his water bowl, you might be able to find some in there.

 

[shaye]

thanx tiger coastal i thought i read about that sumwhere else but wasnt sure il try it if i get mites hopefully i dont