....generally speaking, ticks are phyla-specific...mammal ticks don't parasitize reptiles, avian ticks don't parasitize mammals, etc...deer ticks that transmit the bacterium that causes Lyme's disease will not attack reptiles...



...within different classes of reptiles, some chelonian ticks may be able to parasitize snakes, but this very likely varies widely with different genera of ticks...



...certianly in mammals, ticks are well-established vectors for a number of bacterial, rickettsial, and viral diseases...there is little doubt the same is true in reptiles...



...when removing ticks, try to grasp the head of the tick with the tip of the forceps, and then apply a little 70% or 90% isopropyl alcohol to the site, then apply neosporin or povidone-iodine ointment...



Scott

[ Hide Replies ]

• For Scott Michaels........Re: Snake Ticks - ginebig, Sat Apr 9 10:30:46 2005
• thanks for asking.... - serpentcity, Sat Apr 9 19:38:11 2005
• RE: thanks for asking.... - ginebig, Sat Apr 9 21:30:50 2005
• that's the thing about parasites..... - serpentcity, Sat Apr 9 22:44:28 2005
• RE: thanks for asking.... - promist, Tue Apr 12 07:30:42 2005