Reptile & Amphibian Forums

So I've read that mites are little white bugs, but what I've seen dead in my snakes water dish it little black bugs...I've never seen anything on the snake, or anywhere else in the tank...just dead in the water...They look a lot like fleas but a little smaller.
Anyone know what they are and if they're a threat? Think its only been a month since I cleaned the cage out last, washed the inside of the tank with WipeOut and used it on the cage furniture and washed the bottom liner in the washing machine with soap an bleach and put new aspen back in...
I was thinking maybe they're in the aspen shavings...or worse, maybe in my room and just find their way in...no idea...

Mites are black.. Where did you read that mites are white?

Check under the chin of your snake and around the eyes.. or just hold him and let him move around in your hands for a minute and then check your hands..Either way if there are mites in the bedding you can pretty much bet on the fact that they are on your animal..

Also, IMHO changing your bedding once a month is NOT enough.. Switch over to newspaper or paper towels at least until your bug issue is resolved..

~ Mike Russo

hmm, no idea where i heard mites are white lol
This is the only snake I own, got him at PetCo, which I heard isn't the cleanest environment to buy a snake from...The aspen I purchased was from there as well, ZooMed brand.
I've never seen anything on my snake, I've looked and handled him, I also do not see anything on the paper towels I have [I have the tank set up with about 2/3 aspen at one end and the other third is paper towel, that way I have a clean area to feed him on...] I'll check again and treat.

Mites ARE dark in color, especially when full of your snakes blood. They also are commonly found drowned in the water bowl. Chances are if you inspect your snakes head you can see them, especially around the eyes.

I would switch from aspen to paper towels and treat all your snakes as if they have them. After your sure they are gone you can go back to the aspen.

Is this a new animal for you, or have you introduced a new snake to your collection?

It is possible to get mites (black ones which are very bad) in your aspen, depending on where you get it but it's usually little white mites that you get in aspen bedding which are not much of an issue and easy to get rid of.
I would let the snake that you saw them in it's bowl crawl through your hand with something bright white in your hand like a paper towel. If there are mites on the snake you would probably see one on the paper towel after. If you do see any black mites treat ASAP. Hopefully it's not mites. Randy W.

Snake mites are black and should be treated A.S.A.P.!!
Wood mites are white and are usually not a threat to your herps.
Lizard mites are red and should also be treated A.S.A.P.!
Rubber Boas have a species specific mite that is also white, but much larger, and easily confused with wood mites.
Good luck!
-Phil