thats true... i made the mistake TWICE... of not really checking the snake out b4 i got it... and i lost them 2... my last one i got .. i checked him out really good.... he just got done shedding.... no mites.... and he flicked his tounge out alot... he's doing great.. eats great(which we just skipped a week b/c he was shedding.. and now he's not to happy with mommy.... LOL) he has gone through 2 sheds... (finishing his 2nd one now)... he's having trouble with shedding all the way... so i read a thread.. and had him soak in warm water... and that helped alot