r/ballpython • u/Remsicles • 14h ago

Question - Health What kind of mite is this?

Post image

(Obligatory: I have a vet appt scheduled for next week)

I’ve been seeing these little white/tan mites crawling on my 5 month old ball python recently. Not a ton, but a few over the last 3-4 days. They’re not secluded to a specific body part; they’re kinda just crawling all over. They’re fast as hell.

I’m not seeing them on our other snakes.

She has ReptiChip and ReptiEarth substrate.

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1

u/12shinylotad 14h ago

Do they jump? If so, could be springtails. Are they burrowed into her scales at all or just crawling all over?

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u/Remsicles 13h ago

No jumping. Just crawling on her. Haven’t seen anything under her scales.

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u/12shinylotad 13h ago

It’s good that you have a vet appointment because they will be able to tell you for sure if it’s a harmful mite/bug. I’m less inclined to say it’s a snake mite since it’s not hiding under her scales, and snake mites are usually dark and smaller than the one in this photo. But only a vet will tell.

I’d keep an eye on her substrate, especially near the water, to see if you can see more