Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I recently bought my partner out and picked up the entire rodent portion of the business as well. I was disapointed to find ear mites on some of my adult breeder rats. The mice population seems totally fine. My questions are:

Can ear mites in moderation hurt my balls pythons?

I had someone instruct me to put the rats on ceder and that will eliminate the ear mites...is this true. Will breeding the rodents on cedar hurt/effect my ball pythons? I have all the balls on paper towels and cypress.

Does anyone have any other recommondations?

Thanks in advance for your help....
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Jim Perron
Python Passion Reptiles
pythonpassion@hotmail.com
www.pythonpassionreptiles.com

Hi Jim,

I would not feed any rodent that was kepted on cedar to any reptile. It is true that cedar will kill all the mites but cedar is also very deadly to reptiles. The rats you keep on cedar will pick up oils and other bad stuff that you don't want your snake eating.

Rat mites are differnt from snake mites so the mites that are living on your rats would just be another food source for your snake. I know this sounds gross but insects are high in protein and there is no ill effect on your snake.

If the ear mite problem gets really bad you can use a small drop of baby oil in each ear this will stop your mite problem.

Hope this helps.

.
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Jim Perron
Python Passion Reptiles
pythonpassion@hotmail.com
www.pythonpassionreptiles.com