There is alot of confusion with mite for a number of reasons. Firstly there are hundreds of species out there, occupying the full range of ecological niches - predatory, plant feeders, fungivores, saprophytes, pollen and nectar feeders, microbial filter feeders, and internal and external parasites on a wide range of vertebrates and invertebrates. There are 400 odd species of freshwater aquatic mites naturally occurring in Australia and a heck of a lot more terrestrial varieties. When mites are accidentally introduced into a vivarium and then discovered, keepers immediately tend to assume the worst – parasitic on the occupants. They also tend to make the assumption that they have Snake Mite Ophionyssus natricis. This may or may not be the case but it most certainly is not the case if their colour is anything other than black or purplish brown (both of which appear black to the unaided eye).
Parasitic mites vary in the complexity and potential hosts in their life cycles. Some are host specific, some will occasionally utilize another similar host, while others are fairly non-specific utilizing a range of available hosts. Snake Mites are host specific - something Python Infinite was at pains to explain in a similar thread just recently. It has been suggested by some that Snake Mite will also utilize skinks, agamids or varanids as hosts. Unfortunately, despite my best efforts researching the topic, I have not been able to confirm this with a proper scientific ID having been done. If anyone can assist here, I would be most grateful.
There most certainly is a range of parasitic mite that use lizards as their host. Most are a bright orange to red in colour and are most often seen around the eyes, ear drum and armpit. There are also some that locate themselves inside the vent around the opening to the cloaca. None of these are snake mites.
As has been pointed out by Jamie and others elsewhere, Snake Mite are NOT likely to survive the rigors of the Australian bush – too hot or too cold, too dry and too many potential predators, especially ant species. Not to mention immersion in water and the shedding of all mite with sloughing. They are not a robust species and only do well in the confines of caging and indoors where the environmental conditions are controlled and allow them to survive.
Blue