stupid tick question

[Ginevive]

I have possibly the dumbest question ever asked on this forum. Can ticks from snakes, feed off of humans and other mammals? Or are they always species-specific? Will a desperate snake-tick take a chunk out of a person? Thanks a million!

[JLC]

I don't think that's a stupid question at all! I wish I knew the answer. In my book, a tick is a tick is a tick...and they're all gross! LOL But I honestly don't know if they are species-specific like mites or not. I would adopt a "better safe than sorry" routine with any tick.

[Marla]

I know reptile mites are not a threat to humans, though they are to other reptiles, but I don't think that applies to ticks. Fortunately (knock wood), I've only had to deal with mites as an external parasite so far, so you might want to check ProExotics' FAQs or The Snake Keepers' MailBag for Q and A's on this.

[Wizill]

i've found a couple of ticks and mites on some of my snakes in the past. frequent checking for external parasites is crucial.

[Ironhead]

Im no expert here, but I would say like Judy said,"A tick is a tick is a tick". A tick's purpose in life is to suck blood and I dont think they care where it comes from. So i personally would say that they could go from snake to human or any other blooded creature.

[CTReptileRescue]

Ticks are not species specific,
they are environment specific
IE: WC BP from Africa "fresh off the boat" has a tick embedded, Tick won't live to long off of snake, walking around your house in New England, But the tick will probably survive in the snakes enclosure as hopefully you have simulated a natural "African" environment.
Thanks
Rusty

[gen]

No, HERE is a stupid tick question:

What does a tick look like?

I'm pretty sure Monty doesn't have any, but I wouldn't even know what to be looking for. But I took him to the vet, and I'm sure the vet would have noticed if he had any.

[Mike]

well if it were in your snake it would look like a big fat grey-brown thing sticking out of your snake.

tick full of blood:
http://www.kynochvets.fsnet.co.uk/images/tick.jpg

empty tick:
http://www.rainbowpediatrics.net/atlas/tick.jpg

[gen]

Thanks Mike!