Reptile & Amphibian Forums

So Mosca has recently developed a new trick. It is incredibly funny to watch, but has me a little worried. On occasion he will reach around and bite the end of his tail. Now he rarely catches it the first time, so you get the "dog chasing its own tail" effect for a few seconds first. Sadly, I have not been able to catch this on camera (so no Eve, no pictures ). His tail has been shedding, and the tip is a slightly darker color than the rest of him, so I was concerned about tail rot. Much to his INCREDIBLE dismay, I caught him up last night to get a closer look, and it is new tail growth, and does not appear to be unhealthy. It is impossible for me to tell if it is sore to the touch, or just mosca not likeing TO be touched. Sad really, he and I had finally come to a mutual understanding, I bring food, and so should be able to touch him while he is eating. Oh well, 2 steps forward one step back.

Anyway, Any thoughts on the tail biting? It only seems to be the very tip....

Elizabeth

ps - Man those spikes get sharp! Mosca is now at least a foot long and that tail is a deadly weapon! lol
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1.0 Mali Uro Archimedes (May he rest in peace)
0.0.1 Egyptian Uro Zuberi Mosca Khu (Mosca)
0.0 Fish
0.1 Sulcata Minnie
1.1 Iguanas Flik and Loki
0.1 Newfoundland Jasmine (RIP)
0.1 Feline Winter
Indiana & Wisconsin

>>Anyway, Any thoughts on the tail biting? It only seems to be the very tip....

Check very closely for mites. Last season I saw similar behavior with a macfad reaching back to its hind side much like a dog with fleas. Didn't see anything initially but on second ocurrence and review there were little red crawlies everywhere. So, if nothing today, recheck regularly.
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uromastyx geyri (Saharan/Nigerian), hardwickii (Indian),
macfadyeni (Somalian), ocellata (Sudanese), ornata (Ornate), benti pseudophilbyi

PHEve is right (IMHO).

I've always read about the mites and parasites, but i've never done anything about my uros chasing their tails. Consequently, they've never had a problem and parasites don't generally "move out."
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2.1 - Rocky, Runako, and RoxyIII (my care sheets)

Yes can be mites or worms!
In this case it was MBD, the itching was so intense that this male kept biting his back legs and sniffing his cloaca. Thick scabs formed on his legs from the biting scars, they needed surgical removal.

MOSCA PICS and no excuses, LOL geesh I even posted a pic this week

Mosca will settle down and get chummy in time
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PHEve / Eve

Contact PHEve

Thanks guys, worms had briefly occurred to me, but since it is just the tip of his tail it seemed somewhat unlikely. Mites had not even crossed my mind. I will check much more closely tonight. Mosca has a physical scheduled soon too, so worms will get tested for shortly just for kicks and giggles anyway

Thanks for the input!!

Elizabeth
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1.0 Mali Uro Archimedes (May he rest in peace)
0.0.1 Egyptian Uro Zuberi Mosca Khu (Mosca)
0.0 Fish
0.1 Sulcata Minnie
1.1 Iguanas Flik and Loki
0.1 Newfoundland Jasmine (RIP)
0.1 Feline Winter
Indiana & Wisconsin