BP Keeps Soaking in His Water Bowl

[Bogertophis]

I didn't know mites weren't native. I guess you really do learn something new every day.

I will wait on the bedding.

It was really funny, after I wiped Flicker down, he started slithering back and forth across the cage. It was like he was parading because the mites were dying!

LOL, I can picture him taking a few victory laps... like "I feel good!" https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B1wOK9yGUYM

There are many different kinds of mites, but they tend to be species-specific. Wild birds are often loaded with mites, but not ones that go after snakes, for example.

We talk so much about mites on snakes, I can understand how you'd get the impression that they're native to U.S. but I used to deal with a number of w/c snakes to rescue & relocate...they never had mites, then I found out why...they're fortunately not native here. But plenty of other pests are, like ticks. That's why, when I take my snakes outside for sunshine, I never put them on the ground, much as they'd enjoy it. Just don't want to deal with the consequences...they can pick up some kinds of intestinal worms, for example.

[Reptile$ 4 Life]

LOL, I can picture him taking a few victory laps... like "I feel good!" https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B1wOK9yGUYM

There are many different kinds of mites, but they tend to be species-specific. Wild birds are often loaded with mites, but not ones that go after snakes, for example.

We talk so much about mites on snakes, I can understand how you'd get the impression that they're native to U.S. but I used to deal with a number of w/c snakes to rescue & relocate...they never had mites, then I found out why...they're fortunately not native here. But plenty of other pests are, like ticks. That's why, when I take my snakes outside for sunshine, I never put them on the ground, much as they'd enjoy it. Just don't want to deal with the consequences...they can pick up some kinds of intestinal worms, for example.

That makes sense. I knew mites were species specific, but because they are fairly common in the U.S., with snakes, I assumed they were native. I can imagine that ticks and intestinal worms would be a pain to deal with.

[Reptile$ 4 Life]

I figured that today would be a good day to do an update on my bp, Flicker. I haven't seen any mites even dead ones for the past several days, and Flicker hasn't soaked in his water bowl since I started treating him. In the evenings, he pokes his head out of his hide like he's saying, "It's ok dad the mites are gone. I want a rat now please." Also, after the first hated bath, he seems to be enjoying baths now and will just cruise around in circles for 5-10 minutes. I feel like this is good enrichment for him so I think I will continue with the baths periodically.

[Bogertophis]

That's great news, & he sounds like he's feeling better. (stay vigilant for a while anyway about mites)

Mostly snakes are just scared when given their first "bath"...the loss of traction & the weird feeling of water all over their body at once is just very strange & scary- they
do take some soaks or swims in the wild anyway, though not always by choice or plan. By now, yours is a pro-"swimmer".

[Reptile$ 4 Life]

The post you sent me says keep treating for 30 days so I will continue to do that.

Maybe I should sign him up for the Olympics. He could swim free style.

[Reptile$ 4 Life]

Flicker has been poking his head out of his hide in the evenings for the last couple days, pretty much begging me to feed him. I offered him food last night and he crushed it right away. Everything seems to be going well with him after I started treatment so I think we are almost in the clear.

[Bogertophis]

Flicker has been poking his head out of his hide in the evenings for the last couple days, pretty much begging me to feed him. I offered him food last night and he crushed it right away. Everything seems to be going well with him after I started treatment so I think we are almost in the clear.

That's great!

[Reptile$ 4 Life]

I forgot to say this but now I am confident that Flicker is mite free!!! He just shed out last night and is ready for another tasty rat.

[Bogertophis]

Perfect! You're a good snarent!

[Reptile$ 4 Life]

Perfect! You're a good snarent!

Aww thanks! I will admit that my husbandry was off when I first joined but now I have it dialed in.