Larvae in fresh shed??

[Maaarble]

My adult female BP just shed and as I was removing it from her enclosure I noticed little grub-like bugs in it. I didn't find anything on her or anywhere else while I cleaned everything thoroughly. I've been using paper towels as bedding and she's fed f/t rats. Does anyone know what they might be? They don't look like pictures I've seen of snake mites.

[Caitlin]

Absolutely not snake mites. I have no idea what the little critters are though I'd suspect they may be larval forms of some little beetle that hitched a ride on the substrate. I could be wrong about that, and hopefully someone with more knowledge than I can clarify for you. I just wanted to reassure you that these are not snake mites, because at least I am sure about that much!

[Bogertophis]

If she's been kept on paper towels, it shouldn't be anything that came with the substrate (various mulches are the usual vehicle for such things).

So maybe some sort of flying insect got in there & started a family. Reminds me of the time I had a bunch of fly larvae crawling around in my trash cart until I powdered the whole inside of the cart with "diatomaceous earth" -that was the last of them.

I know that some moths love to eat snake sheds- I had some shed skins stored in a plastic bag that apparently wasn't sealed up tight enough, in a closet, & saved for "show & tell"- some kind of moth larvae got to them & there wasn't much left. That would be my guess for yours- a moth.

[Armiyana]

Drain and fruit flies have been ridiculous where I am this year. Looks like yours is a maggot from one beginning to pupate. they get in and set up shop fast. I have to set up traps this week because they're getting overwhelming in the area where my hatchling bps and opossum are.
Fresh snake shed. Fresh poop. Wet dog food. it's all fair game for the flies.