Wild diamond with ticks??

[BigBrad]

Hey all, I went for a ride on my motorbike today and took to the bush , I had to stop for a p#ss stop so finished my business went to go back to my bike and saw a 6ft diamond so as you do I was havn a Loki and was interested to see when I got close to her him it seem lifeless , so I approached from behind and sh#tting myself slowly picked the snake up it was very docile then noticed it had at least 20 ticks , the snake looks to be otherwise healthy in the weight department I'm thinkn it's so docile because it's drained from the ticks or maybe someone's dumped a sick snake and the the little blood suckers have jumped on board . I rang the mr's and got her to bring a tub down brought it home , it actually seems happy enough and very enquisitive so I've removed as many ticks as I could till it had enough and give me a love tap on the arm , so didn't want to stress it any more put it in an enclosure in the garage away from my collection I put a tub of water in the enclosure and it is soaking in there now obviously now the aim is to free the snake of all ticks and when its healthy enough release it , will the ticks drown if the snake stays submerged long enough ??? And what product can I purchase to get rid of the little buggers???. Any help would be greatly appreciated... Cheers BigBrad...

 

[Flaviruthless]

Be careful; it's my understanding that snakes usually don't get so many ticks unless something else is wrong with them (reference is the wildcare case where the coastal had 100 or so ticks on it and a fractured skull). I would imagine that the ticks would drown if the animal was submerged enough. I wouldn't go putting anything on it just incase it has a virus or communicable disease.

 

[eddie123]

ticks are pretty tough i cant imagine theme drowning. well the ones on me didnt drown after 3 hours in the pool. Sounds like that snake will be back in the wild healthy and happy, good work!

 

[notechistiger]

Just release it. The animal was part of a food chain and if it was going to die then it was going to die. If not, hallelujah! Reptiles in the wild often garner ticks and other parasites and they're typically unaffected unless they're stressed (ie, being captured?) or sick in the first place.

 

[Striker]

I remember the last debate on this issue when someone posted a video of a diamond covered in ticks....leave alone or try to help. It's an interesting discussion.

 

[BigBrad]

Hey flaviruthless , interesting about there being an under lying illness or injury drawing the ticks in , cheers for that I will check it again tomorrow and see how there going , it's been fully submerged except nostrils for around 3 hrs now so hopefully that will fix them then I think I will take it to my vet say on Wednesday and get her to give it a once over

 

[notechistiger]

Might I add it's illegal to take native animals from the wild. Why cause it stress by taking a wild animal to the vet? =/

 

[Flaviruthless]

Hey flaviruthless , interesting about there being an under lying illness or injury drawing the ticks in , cheers for that I will check it again tomorrow and see how there going , it's been fully submerged except nostrils for around 3 hrs now so hopefully that will fix them then I think I will take it to my vet say on Wednesday and get her to give it a once over

That's what I was told; if they are otherwise injured they may be spending more time on the ground and therefore ticks may have more access to them.

Might I add it's illegal to take native animals from the wild. Why cause it stress by taking a wild animal to the vet? =/

What about taking it to a wildlife care place? Contacting WIRES or something along those lines? I know that a lot of people take injured wild native birds to vets for care; do many vets accept reptiles as well? I mean, I would assume so but that doesn't necessarily mean they would...

 

[BigBrad]

Notechistiger , I'm aware that taking native animals from our bush for the WRONG REASONS is illegal but I as a snake lover could not leave that snake there to suffer if I could do anything at all to help this snake I was going to do it , so I'm not sure where your attitude is coming from , are you generally a smart #ss or a hater???

 

[notechistiger]

What about taking it to a wildlife care place? Contacting WIRES or something along those lines?

But why? The snake had a couple of ticks on it, which a lot of wild animals have on them with very little effect.

I'm not a smart *** or a hater. I don't see the point of removing a wild animal from it's home because it has a couple of natural parasites on it. Are you also going to worm it and other snakes you find?

 

[serpenttongue]

If it were me, I would have picked the ticks off there and then, and then let it go.

20-odd ticks wont affect a pythons health. It was probably docile from it's low body temperature.

I'd imagine that it is soaking in the tub because it is the only part of the enclosure where it feels safe. They feel a sense of security when submerged, not because it's trying to drown ticks. However, right now it should be out in the wild, tucked away in its carefully selected winter retreat.

I would avoid tick treatments that are for dogs (like Frontline). They have been known to be toxic. Nothing beats picking them off by hand.

Just release back where you found it.

 

[$NaKe PiMp]

release or contact wildlife care group where a licenced wildlife carer can handle situation

 

[BigBrad]

I will ignore the dopes , I like this site and would like to stay a member... So anyway I know my vet well she will check the snake over for me at no cost I'm sure after I remove the ticks, if she says it's all good it will be released if not I will be contacting wires. Thanx to the people with good information and warnings much appreciated. Cheers BigBrad

Thanx serpentongue and snake pimp

 

[littlemay]

I don't think anyone is being a 'dope', they simply disagree with how you chose to deal with the situation.

 

[BigBrad]

I respect everyone's right to an opinion that's what we are here for , some people just need to watch the way they express it as sometimes it can border on disrespect and that's what starts arguments not debates littlemay, Thanx for your opinion.

 

[Striker]

I respect everyone's right to an opinion that's what we are here for , some people just need to watch the way they express it as sometimes it can border on disrespect and that's what starts arguments not debates littlemay, Thanx for your opinion.

Kind of have to agree on this point. For the most part everyone is just trying to do the best they can based on situations/circumstances presented to them at the time. There are always two ways to look at things....do we save the whales or kill them all and feed them to the starving children? Who knows? The intent here in rescuing the snake and seeking medical attention was good. And that's all that matters. We live and learn....

 

[notechistiger]

No disrespect or offense intended of course, sometimes the logic just boggles the mind. Of course, there is no point in arguing over the internet, as they say..

 

[CaptainRatbag]

Most vets will treat injured wildlife for free. I found an echidna eith more ticks on it than it had spines :shock: at a shooting range so bundled it up (carefully:shock::lol and took it to a vet.... I came back a couple of days later after they plucked it :lol: and I took it back where I found it (dang they stink :shock

I dont know what state you are in BB, but I would get a vet to give it the once over, since you have already picked it up.(as I would have done)

I disagree with those saying snakes wont worry about a few ticks.... depending on what type of tick, 20 of them pumping poison into a snake cant feel real good :shock: I dont go LOOKING for injured wildlife, but should I find one, if I can help it in any way I will.... gladly.

I dont care what rules and regulations might prohibit me helping injured wildlife......but I reserve the right to help any fellow earthdwelling creature I share the planet with (except politicians :lol if it is within my means, and I wont apologise for doing so.

Good onya BB

 

[silent36]

Regardless of weather or not u should leave/take the wild animal i think his heart is in the right place he is only trying to help its not like he is tryng to hurt it or keep it as a pet

 

[BigBrad]

If it was a sick koala I'd say 99% of people would say let's bundle this cute Aussie native icon up and get it some help so why not our scaley friends ???. At the end of the day but my main concern is the health of this snake , Thanx all for your input.