suspected mites...

[SnakeEyes]

I suspect my male may possible have mites, but I am not sure, what are some sure fire ways to tell if he has em? I have never seen anything on him, around his nose or his jaw where people say to look, and when I hold him and slide my hand down him nothing ever comes off. Any other tips on to be positive he doesn't have any?

[lord jackel]

I suspect my male may possible have mites, but I am not sure, what are some sure fire ways to tell if he has em? I have never seen anything on him, around his nose or his jaw where people say to look, and when I hold him and slide my hand down him nothing ever comes off. Any other tips on to be positive he doesn't have any?

Then why do you think he has them...if you have never seen any?

[MeMe]

what makes you suspect he does have mites?

[qiksilver]

er? yeah I'm with them, why would you think he has mites when he shows no symptoms and you've never seen them.

[SnakeEyes]

there are little specs in his water. Thought it was just debris from his bedding but I can like smash the specs and they kinda explode with what looks like blood...

[wildlifewarrior]

You can look in the water bowl for black dots, and also for shiney things in the cage (thats their poo)


~mike

[lord jackel]

What type of bedding are you using? You can get hitchhikers on some beddings (esp. mulches like cypress)..they don't really bother your snake which may be the reason you haven't found any on him.


If they bug you (LOL) and just to be safe you can always treat the bedding and cage with PAM just to be safe.

[SnakeEyes]

tomorrow is my day off, I am gonna clean out his cage and put in all aspen and see if the dots come back. Right now hes on a mulch bedding that said it was safe for reptiles as it was cedar free.

Also might add, I have had him since 03/13/07, he has yet to miss a meal, and he has yet to take a crap, even AFTER his PERFECT (one complete piece with no aid from me what-so-ever) shed...

[lord jackel]

tomorrow is my day off, I am gonna clean out his cage and put in all aspen and see if the dots come back. Right now hes on a mulch bedding that said it was safe for reptiles as it was cedar free.

Also might add, I have had him since 03/13/07, he has yet to miss a meal, and he has yet to take a crap, even AFTER his PERFECT (one complete piece with no aid from me what-so-ever) shed...

Based on what you have said I doubt you have mites:
1. currently on mulch - could just be hitchhikers (wood mites, etc.) no biggie
2. had him since 3/13 - mite egg cycle is about 30 days so you would have tons of them by now if they were on him when you got him.
3. still eating /good shed - usually with mites these 2 items become issues

I would say you are in the clear

[SnakeEyes]

what would hitch hickers do to him? anything?