My snakes have mites, it is as many of you know the most annoying thing ever. They got in while I was working for someone who has about 3000 snakes and I have been slowly eradicating them ever since. Over the time that they have been in my collection, I have noticed something. Albino Ball Pythons get them the worst. I have a juvenile female albino in with a juvenile female ghost. Often times I will find several adults or babies on the albino, and not one will be present on the ghost. I know it is easier to see them on the albino and all that, but I have literally spent 15 minutes combing over the ghost and not been able to find one. I also have a juvenile male albino in with a juvenile het albino, and the same situation occurs. I have seen albino burmese pythons living with normal burmese pythons in the same situation. I have a snow boa living in the space next to me reticulated python, the retic has no mites, the snow boa does.



It is no secret that albino scales are soft and easier to damage.

It makes sense that mites would prefer their easy to get through skin.



I have a theory that I plan to try out.



My male albino will only eat mice, so, every week, I am going to give his mice carrots to eat for a couple days before I feed them to him. My theory is that over time the extra beta-keratin will thicken his scales, and hopefully the mites will not be as able to get through.



Also, there is the possibility of it actually enhancing his yellow.



I am curious what you all think, if it will have any affect, or if it is just a waste of time.
-----
Ball Pythons:

1.2 Normal

1.2 Pastel

0.1 Black Pastel

2.0 Het Orange Ghost

0.1 Orange Ghost

1.1 Mojave

1.2 Spider

1.1 Albino

0.1 Het Albino

1.0 Piebald

0.1 Double het, Albino Pied

Other:

0.1 Irian Jaya x Jungle Carpet python

1.0 Jungle Carpet Python

1.0 Tiger Retic

1.1 Burmese Pythons

1.1 Brazilian Rainbow Boas

3.3 Corn Snakes

0.0.1 American Alligator

1.0 Savannah Monitor

0.0.1 Argus Monitor

1.0 Chinese Water Dragon

0.1 Brown Basilisk

1.2 Crested Gecko

0.1 Sulcata Tortoise

1.1 Sugar Gliders

1.1 Puppies

[ Show Entire Thread ]