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Possible Mites, Help!

M

michaeljeffrie

New member
this is probably an easy fix and probably NOT mites, but i'm just being safe. today i got a hatchling black kingsnake and put her into her new home, a 40 gallon long tank (with a divider). throughout the day, and i dont know how, these brown beetle-type things kept appearing on the surface, all seeming to be dead. they obviously weren't at some point, or else they wouldn't be on the surface. they are about the size of 1/4 of a fingernail, which i assume is way too large to be a mite. my question is, where are they coming from? i've got aspen, some log hides, and driftwood in the tank. all of the wood has been soaked in hot water and baked. i felt like i took plenty of precautions, like weeks and weeks (this is my first snake), and this is rather disappointing :headbang: do you think its the aspen or wood?
 
i figured that much, are wood mites dangerous to snakes? i'm going to sterilize the cage regardless, but i just want to know if there is any immediate threat. also, on her body, there are a few of her scales that seem to be indented. not exactly inflamed or anything, almost like they are missing. i'm not sure if that has to do with her physical condition, or if that is relatively normal and and will go away with each shed.
 
No, wood mites pose no danger to the snake. I'd bet they came from the aspen. I usually bake or freeze my aspen prior to using it in my tanks.
 
I agree that it's probably wood mites and while they aren't going to bother your snake they might get out into your home and cause problems. If you keep having problems with the aspen you might want to try plain white paper towels. Everyone I've talked to says it's better when they are young and you first get them, that and it's a lot more affordable and easier to clean than aspen is. I line the bottom of my snakes tank with two solid layers and then I use a couple of the half sheets and make it so that if he wants to burrow he can.
 
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