You are 100% right. Our so - called mites "the little black ones" that are a pain in our collections in the US are NOT native to Africa. Only ticks come in on wild animals.

S.America on the other hand does have mites native and can come in on imported animals and do frequently, If you are buying an animal from a supplier that imports more then 1 or 2 countries then it is a chance that you may end up with mites on an imported Ball only b.c of its contact with another shipment.

Also the store could of had mites on another species of snake and the mites could of traveled, it is amazing how far they can get. Ticks do not spread as easily as mites so as long as you remove then when they pop up you shouldnt have an infestation. Mites actually lay their eggs off of the animal and when they hatch they find their way back, that is why it can look like you have everything under controll for a week or so and all of a sudden they are back, just make sure to keep everything clean and you should be fine
Kim
N.A.R.C

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