Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Hi,

I have two kings (Desert Kings - we think) and one is prone to slide around and have a mad fit!! (slide around fast for 10 to 20 seconds.

Is this normal?

Are you sure they don't have mites? I've had snakes do something similar to that with mites. Mostly rubbing their selves against objects in an aggressive way for several seconds, but not an all out fit like they got freaked out.
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I was worried about that, mites. I did check both out a few weeks ago with a damp kitchen towl (hold it tight around their body and let the wriggle out and see what is left on the towl). But I had no black specks.

He has just (today) shed but he has done this several times since ive had him, which is about two months or less.

I try the wet kitchen towl again tommorrow, but ive just fed both snakes within the past 3 hours.

If anyone else can help fantastic. and thanks to you too mate.

No problem at all, I'm just assuming that's what it might be. Mites tend to be found very often on their chins or on the very edge of the eye cap. One way I can always tell is when I find messed up scales on the snake. They look like the outer layer is peeling off or the scale is shriveled up. Its hard to tell after they shed. The increase in shedding can also have to do with mites. Sometimes the snake will soak in its water more often and you will be able to find dead mites at the bottom of the bowl.
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Cheers, ill keep an eye out.

Just get an eye loop (aka Jewlers loop or strong magnifying glass) and check around the eyes and eyes sockets. If you see creatures traveling about, then that is the problem.
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