Anyone have a picture of Mites?

[BigCeC43]

As some of you know I'm new and still learning. My BP just had his first shed, and I belive it went well (although I did have to help him get the shed off of his tail). Today I noticed that he has black spots along his sides (more prominent in some areas). Now I haven't even had him for a week yet, but I'm nervous that they might be mites b/c I'm using aspen for bedding and one pet store employee implied that aspen sometimes contains mites. I really don't think it is, but then again I don't know much about them.

If anyone has any pics of BPs with mites, mites, or has any other signs that a BP may have them please share.
I would appreciate any comments/suggestions.

[frankykeno]

Here's a good link to read up on snake mites....

http://www.vpi.com/publications/the_...of_snake_mites

Here's a picture of a snake soaking due to mites (used with the kind permission of this snake's owner who now has a happy mite free snake).....

[BigCeC43]

Thanks for the pic and the link.

I left the house for a while, and when I got back he was by his water bowl (not completely submerged, although it did appear that some of his body was wet. I haven't found any mites in his water bowl, but the black spots he has resemble those that were in your water dish. I just have a few more questions for anyone who's willing to help...

Is there any way to know for sure if they're mites? (besides going to the vet), for example will it effect his feeding, temperment, activity, etc...

If they are mites will he be able to solve the problem himself by bathing in his dish? If not what actions should I take.

Do some BPs have spots similar to these that is just part of their design/pattern? (Since I just got him it's hard for me to tell if what I'm looking at is normal or not)
I tried taking a picture, but it doesn't really show what I see.

[Royal Tartan]

here's an adult mite on the tip of an adult male finger ( wedding ringer finger ) , mites where found on a rescue someone took in , asked me to photograph it !

[bearhart]

Thanks for the pic and the link.

I left the house for a while, and when I got back he was by his water bowl (not completely submerged, although it did appear that some of his body was wet. I haven't found any mites in his water bowl, but the black spots he has resemble those that were in your water dish. I just have a few more questions for anyone who's willing to help...

Is there any way to know for sure if they're mites? (besides going to the vet), for example will it effect his feeding, temperment, activity, etc...

If they are mites will he be able to solve the problem himself by bathing in his dish? If not what actions should I take.

Do some BPs have spots similar to these that is just part of their design/pattern? (Since I just got him it's hard for me to tell if what I'm looking at is normal or not)
I tried taking a picture, but it doesn't really show what I see.

I held a snake with mites once. it didn't take me long to notice something was wrong. You should be able to tell by looking close up or with a magnifying glass. Is it a spot or a little bug on there?

I've never had to deal with an infestation myself but I'm fairly sure it will require treatment. Soaking probably only gives him temp relief (if he has them).

[BigCeC43]

Thanks for the new responses.
So my understanding is that this is something that would be pretty obvious to figure out from handling my BP (would I feel/see the mites crawling on me?),
I'm going to have to take a closer look with a magnifying glass, b/c they just look like black spots to me (no legs, head, etc...) I did notice a black spot in his water dish this morning, but again it didn't appear to have legs or be anything that was once living for that matter.

[Bright202]

Thanks for the new responses.
So my understanding is that this is something that would be pretty obvious to figure out from handling my BP (would I feel/see the mites crawling on me?),
I'm going to have to take a closer look with a magnifying glass, b/c they just look like black spots to me (no legs, head, etc...) I did notice a black spot in his water dish this morning, but again it didn't appear to have legs or be anything that was once living for that matter.

Its almost impossible to see their legs, my best bet for you would be to order a can of Provent-a-mite just to be on the safe side. But thats just my 2 cents..

[darkangel]

My first snake had mites. They're very visible when you're looking closely at the head, you'll see movement over the eyes, and see them going into the heat pits. If you examine him for about five minutes, and also look at his substrate and water bowl, it should be pretty apparent if he does have them. They don't really look like insects with obvious legs, they just look like little black period dots moving on your snake.

[BigCeC43]

Alright, so I'll look for movement. I'm going to let him chill today since he just ate last night, but I will check him tomorrow. I have a couple more questions...

When you say movement over the eyes, are you talking about the actual eye ball or just around the eyes (I'm assuming this is where these things like to hang out so it's a good place to look)?

What's a heat pit?

[darkangel]

The mites will crawl over the eyeballs and the face. Heat pits -- those holes above your bps mouth that let him sense heat signatures.