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mites and ticks
- Thread starter Kali
- Start date
Kali
lost cause
So in the case of mites it's not possible? He was specifically talking about mites (bloodmites, but don't know if that's called that in english), and he was so certain about it that he made me doubt.
Or maybe he just meant ticks then...
He told me the feeders he bred himself had them, and that way he got it in his snake collection.
Or maybe he just meant ticks then...
He told me the feeders he bred himself had them, and that way he got it in his snake collection.
Nanci
Alien Lover
Understanding Reptile Parasites. Klingenberg. Pg 92
Myth or Fact? Snake mites can affect any reptile of mammal.
Fact. This tiny pest is a mesostigmatid mite that primarily parasitizes snakes but can and will feed on other non-snake species, including humans. However, it is doubtful (but not impossible) that they can complete their life cycle on these alternate hosts...Snake mites must always be considered in any reptile species on which mites are seen.
Pg. 90
Mites
There are more than 250 different identified species of mites that can parasitize reptiles, the most common of which are the chigger mite (family Trombiculidae), the snake mite (Ophionyssus natricis), and the lizard mite (Hirstiella trombidiformis).
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I have no clue how you go about identifying a particular mite, though. But it sounds as if it would be possible for mites living on rodents to transfer to snakes, and vice versa.
Myth or Fact? Snake mites can affect any reptile of mammal.
Fact. This tiny pest is a mesostigmatid mite that primarily parasitizes snakes but can and will feed on other non-snake species, including humans. However, it is doubtful (but not impossible) that they can complete their life cycle on these alternate hosts...Snake mites must always be considered in any reptile species on which mites are seen.
Pg. 90
Mites
There are more than 250 different identified species of mites that can parasitize reptiles, the most common of which are the chigger mite (family Trombiculidae), the snake mite (Ophionyssus natricis), and the lizard mite (Hirstiella trombidiformis).
****************
I have no clue how you go about identifying a particular mite, though. But it sounds as if it would be possible for mites living on rodents to transfer to snakes, and vice versa.
To get mites ID'ed I would look for a good entomologist. If you have a collage or university near by that have an entomology department or a biology department with one or more faculty who study mites or entomology call the office and try to talk to someone about helping with the ID. Even if they hook you up with a graduate student, technition or staff person talk to them and ask for help. Most scientists are real geeks, (said with love and in a good way), about their field. They will probably be as happy to see what you have found as you are about getting the ID.
In the US, if you are not near such a school, call your county extension agent. They can pass your pests on to people who may be able to help at the ID.
To take a sample to the person you have found to help you; Get a clean, small container with a tight fitting lid. Put some isopropyl alcohol in the container. With as little damage as you can manage, place several of the mites or ticks you hope to have ID'ed. Especially with mites, it may only be possible to make a really good ID with a certain sex or life stage so the more the better. Have at least twice the volume of isopropyl as pest. Secure the lid. Take or send as fresh as possible to the person who will try to ID for you. Enclose a note or have the information available as to when and where you caught the thing to be ID'ed.
http://www.cornsnakes.com/forums/images/smilies/shrug01.gif
Maybe this will help someone.