Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Hey Guys,
I never post here, more just observe topics and posts. I am in need of some answers though that I cannot figure out myself. I have a rather large collection on herps, including boids, beardies, dwarf monitors, knob tailed geckos and they are my babies. Recently I have spotted some red spider mites on the floor of my herp room, its tile for easy cleaning. It is always extremely clean and thats how I noticed the little buggers. I have found lots of info on red spider mites and their harm to plants but have found nothing out about their relation to animals, and how they could have ended up there. I have no plants in the room, but am worried that that my animals could fall prey to these things. Also I am not 100% positive they are spider mites, but they have fat little bodies, legs like a spider, resemble a mite, and are bright red. When you squish them, it leave like a little red smear. If you guys could give me some info I would appreciate.
thanks wohlerswi

Have you found any on your animals , the red could be blood if they are full they will detach and look red as there abdomens are stretched . David

No none anywhere near them. I have only found them on the floor. I am familiar with regular mites and these are not them. I have seem these outside in many places. They are always red never a different color, and everything I have found on the species says its a plant parasite, they are called "red spider mites" hence the color red.
thanks

when i was younger i had an iguana. i brought some wood in from the outside and it contained those little boogers. they did eventually get on my iquana and cause some stress and irritation. i could not say for sure but shortly after the mites were their my iguana got attacked by my cat and then mites infested(prob due to stress and inability to fight them) and the iguana eventually died.
not sure if this helps but they tend to live on or near wood and they need moisture so i would remove any wood decorations and control water sources.
adam jeffery
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" a.k.a. farfrumugen "
When I die, I want to go peacefully like my Grandfather did, in his sleep -- not screaming, like the passengers in his car.

im guessing where you live it is cold now?? and the reason youre seeing them in youre home more often now!!! as far as them bothering any of youre herps!!! i would say not im no expert on spider mites either but it sure sounds like them to me in youre discription.. and plant life is all they care about so as long as youre herp enclosures dont contain any thing that interests them or are not made of wood themselves they shouldent get too close for comfort....... hope this helps regards

Thank you. Yeah I don't see anything different about their behavior, but like I said they are all my babies so maybe Im over protective. Yes it is very cold right now, and most of my cages are visions and racks so no wood really. I do have wood for the bearded dragons to climb on though. I haven't found any on the animals or in their cages either just on the tile floor, and not many, maybe 20 up until this point. thanks for your help