Help! I might have found MITES!

Oh no! I was looking in Ramona's tank today (which is currently lined in white paper towels) and I see some teeny tiny black specks---and I saw one move! (Like the size of pencil points) :oops:

I'm really bummed---are these mites? And if they are, can someone please help tell me what to do?!

Background: I got Ramona from a rescue about 5 weeks ago. She's an amazing eater, tank is set up appropriately, and last week she had a perfect shed--so her health appears to be good. She's overly fond of her water dish, perhaps due to these awful little specks. I had her on newspaper initially, but just switched her to white paper towels (simply because I didn't have newspaper---but boy am I glad that I did).

I can't bear the thought of her being uncomfortable :cry: Please help!

Here's a thread discussing mites and how to get rid of them. If you have any other questions please feel free to ask.
http://www.ball-pythons.net/PNphpBB2...ic-t-4722.html

That thread has some great info in it. Usually ( not always ) a ball pythons overly fond of their water dish may signify problems like this.

EDIT: Good luck with the little boggers!

Thanks for the info. I went to my local store and the only mite treatment that they had was Reptile Relief, which I bought. It says that you can spray it directly on the snake---has anyone out there done this?

Ramona has been soaking herself for about 2 days, but I think I'm going to give her a soapy soak anyway, as recommended. And I'll clean out the tank well with the reptile relief too.

I would be leery of spraying anything directly on the snake. I've never had mites or used Reptile Relief .. maybe someone else has. As for a soapy soak .. i use a little Unscented Dove soap in some tepid water.