Might be mites?!??

Hey, first time poster here and desperately in need of assistance. Bought my spider ball python off kijiji from an apparent snake breeder who was downsizing his collection and selling hatchlings. The snake is a complete doll, however, the other day I was handling and inspecting him and found this gruesome little black buggar on his face. I immediately removed this insect and quickly washed everything in his enclosure...again. Ok, here's the issue. I've not seen anything since, down to bare bones in his enclosure (plastic hide, glass water dish, white paper towel bedding) seeing no evidence of mites YET. The thing is, he's a month and a half old roughly , and about 2 inches above his butthole there's this linear what looks like scratch which is darkish black in colour inside. Does not look infected and I would be more than happy to email anyone who specialises in mites to take a look at the picture! (writing this on my iPhone) I'm freaking out here. I live in Toronto Canada and have found it hard to locate natural chemistry reptile spray, but don't want to work myself up for nothing it if it only a mere scratch. Like I mentioned, the white paper towel is spotless at this point, and I was told by the pet store that occasionally some bugs to tend to get caught up in bedding (purchased reptibark for my enclosure which is sitting in the deep freeze for two weeks now, just to eliminate potential bugs!) If it is just a scratch I will take him to the vet, if it is mites I will have to locate/order repti spray...Someoe please help me, first snake ever and I want the best care for him! Also, haven't heard a word from the jerk breeder since I bought my little guy. Makes me sick! My email is: across.the.universe @ live.ca someone please email or reply to this! Thank you!!!

Can you share a picture? What you might be seeing is where the umbilical cord was attached.

The line you see, if I understood you correctly, is where the yolk sack gets absorbed. Although I've never seen one turn black. I would seek immediate vet care.

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Originally Posted by snakehobbyist

Can you share a picture? What you might be seeing is where the umbilical cord was attached.

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http://m1291.photobucket.com/albumvi...9.jpg.html?o=1 I hope this works for you guys! Let me know if you can see it! :)

Calm down.. Before you freak out and go bashing the breeder you need to be sure you don't have an actual problem.. All snakes have a "belly button" of sorts. Where the umbilicus was at. It appears as a line on the belly down a little ways from the vent. If its black in the line it may just be dirty if the breeder was keeping his snakes on a different bedding. If the rest of the belly is fine then just wait until the baby sheds to see what it looks like.

As for possible mites, keep the snake on white paper towels and check the water for mites often. This is where you'll see them. If you never see any more, and your snake doesn't start soaking in its bowl constantly, then you don't have a problem. If so, then you'll have to treat for mites. No big deal really. Especially if it's your only snake.

How's your set up? Heat, humidity, how your measuring temps?

Your only major worry right now aside from proper set up should be that the new one settles in and begins eating regularly for you. Figure out how to post pics on here and show us. And welcome!

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Originally Posted by HolayFak

http://m1291.photobucket.com/albumvi...9.jpg.html?o=1 I hope this works for you guys! Let me know if you can see it! :)

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Ok, that's where the umbilical cord was at. It's fine. Just looks like a little dirt got in the crease. And that is not a hatchling. How old did they say it was? It looks like its got some good size to it. Nothing to worry about as far as that goes.

Hey I'm not bashing someone who can't reply to a simple text message of "when was the snake born" he's that kind of guy. I'm guessing it was September, although it'd be nice to have a beginning, mid month or end of the month timeline. Anyway, hygrometer is in the tank, heating pad is under the tank, I fed him today and apparently he was only fed live but took f/t wondrously, like immediately chomped the fuzzie down no problem! He's due for a shed soon, Eyes are blue hazy, keeping the humidity at about just over 60 but it's a little tough now that I just have the paper towel set up in there. I don't see him soaking ever, just occasionally drinking and I can tell he really likes me. Pretty sure we bonded and sealed the deal when I picked that bug off his head! But yes, I really hope he is okay and have posted a few pictures onto that photobucket site, once again, let me know if you can see them! Pre thanks for the advice if I fall asleep soon :p

http://m1291.photobucket.com/albumvi...9.jpg.html?o=2

http://m1291.photobucket.com/albumvi...c.jpg.html?o=0

Feeding time today, that's a Kleenex from a 10 pack lol to judge his size.

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Originally Posted by HolayFak

http://m1291.photobucket.com/albumvi...c.jpg.html?o=0

Feeding time today, that's a Kleenex from a 10 pack lol to judge his size.

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From that pic it looks like it might be that young but it has good size to it so that's good. Take a look at this care sheet. The one here is probably the best one you'll ever find. You need to make sure your UTH is regulated by a thermostat to prevent burns and that you are monitoring your hot/cool side temps with a probed thermometer.

http://ball-pythons.net/forums/showthread.php?t=127203

You can also cover the screen top with foil to keep in heat and humidity.

Just keep an eye out for mites and Everything should be fine. If you see any more you can post another question to see what products people use in Canada. We use proventamite in the states as it works best.

Also, if you use the direct link from each of your pictures you should be able to get the photo to show up on here instead of just the link so we can see it. Like this..

http://img.tapatalk.com/d/12/11/03/qurugezu.jpg

It's a nice looking baby you got there :)