Can you see mites???

[Christian75]

Just checked on my BHP and found her with her head fully submerged in her glass water bowl!
She'd stay under for about 5 seconds at a time just looking around.

I know it sounds like mites so I want to know whether you can see them with the naked eye? All temps in the enclosure are fine.

Is it definitely mites or does she just like swimming? It seems like it's only her head she's submerging, nothing else.

Any help???

[-aspidites-]

I've never seen my BHPs do that. Not to say they never do, but I've never seen it.

You can definitely see mites, but they can be difficult to spot on the actual animal. Usually it's easier to spot the mite faeces, which is like a white powder.

Check in the water bowl for little black things, up to the size of a flea. If you press on them, they'll squash easily and you'll see blood.

Hope it's not mites!

[Christian75]

Cheers. Checking now...

[MrBredli]

That is nothing to worry about, she's just having a look around. Some of my pythons do it occasionally and it used to freak me out as i expected them to breath the water in but they never have. If you find her soaking motionless in the bowl than that is a different story and is a good indicator for mites or high temps.

[Christian75]

No white powder on her or the enclosure and the water is clear. Hopefully she just liked the underwater view!

[Christian75]

Thanks guys. Breathing easier now. She's doing her usual night time cruise and doesn't appear interested in the water bowl anymore.

Have to keep an eye out...

[-aspidites-]

Good to hear, Christian.

I've had other types of pythons do that, without having mites, but I've never actually seen any of my Aspidites get into the water bowl at all, even though the bowls provided are large enough.