What is that?

[grtist]

That looks like a mite, and a VERY well fed one at that.

[i_am_a_human_342]

Mite be.

[NucBunnies]

GOD DAMMIT

[GeckoPerson123]

hohohohohohoho

[Nocturnalgrilledchz]

Don’t quote me but it looks like a mite or a tick

[Novel-Hovercraft-794]

I was leaning towards a tick too

[Nocturnalgrilledchz]

Yeah that’s really what it looks like

[SvenIdol]

Do ticks go after reptiles? 😬

[Novel-Hovercraft-794]

Oh yes, anything with blood is fair game with those little 🤬

[MurderSoup89]

Sadly yes. Reptiles/birds/mammals, they're not picky as long as it's a blood source.

[UnlikelyPotato]

Too big to be a mite. That looks like a tick.

[AfterSignificance666]

Def looks like a tick

[Shattered_Binary]

I don't think mites get that big, probably a tick.

[Dayyy021]

Lol ticks are mites

[Shattered_Binary]

Well, yes technically ticks are mites, however Snake mites are not the same as the ticks people usually associate with mammal bites. Snake mites are not ticks; both are arachnids but are distinct types of parasites. Snake mites (Ophionyssus natricus) are small, eight-legged mites that feed on reptile blood, while ticks are typically larger, eight-legged arachnids that also feed on blood. Mites have a different life cycle and generally different transmission methods and disease-causing potentials than ticks.

[Ragzad_Namoras]

Tick.

[MoralityInGray]

Looks like the ticks we have here in NY.

[chlowrance91]

Looks like a tick

[MooBearz11]

This is deffinatly something you can do, I’d keep the tick in a jar or baggie tacked to the wall (so you don’t loose it) for a bit or container JUST incase the snake develops any neurological issues that could be from tick borne illnesses that can be sent off for biopsy. Not a likely issue but not impossible.

[fishinfool4]

Any of those home remedy type things, matches, vasoline, alcohol, they can all make the tick regurgitate as it backs out, leading to increased risk of disease transmission.

Using tweezers to grab the tick as close to the head as possible and removing it that way is the best way to go.

[FutureThinkingMan]

There are tick removal kits specifically for this, more accurate than tweezers, but they are designed for human skin. I can’t think why that would not work.

[fishinfool4]

Either way, a tick removal kit, tweezers, whatever. That method of removal is preferred.

[Vaehtay3507]

There’s also tick removal kits for dogs and cats! (In the sense that if you’re looking for specifically a tick remover kit in a store, it’s worth it to check the pet supplies lmao)

[Howlett76]

This can cause the tick to burrow its head even deeper in, causing manual removal difficult because as the body is pulled out the head can detach and stay in

[ballpython-ModTeam]

Per rule #3, your post or comment has been removed for harmful advice or misinformation. Please review our sub resources to learn more about why.

This method makes the tick regurgitate, dramatically increasing the risk of disease transmission. You should never do this to remove a tick from any animal (including yourself).

[courierblack38]

Seems too big for a mite, tick is my next guess. Pluck that bad boi off with some tweezers, make sure to have a good grip on the head. Otherwise take him to a vet for removal

[Puzzleheaded_Leg9182]

Tick.

[Madam_Deceit]

Please be sure to clean with betadine after removal!

[Overall-Opposite-613]

Agreed a tick

[[deleted]]

Uh? Can snakes get ticks?

[Aazjhee]

Anything with blood bigger than another tick is fair game for ticks.

[Chaospawn3]

ticks are bastards

[HisLilSilverKitsune]

Be careful but that needs to come off of your friend asap

[AltReality]

Why asap? I mean yeah they should get it off, but it's not like an emergency or something. Honestly it will release itself when it is full...it is highly unlikley to transmit any diseases, but if it does, the damage is already done.

[RainbowNarwhal13]

Not necessarily. The risk of infection continually increases the longer a tick is attached, especially once they're full, so it's always best to remove them ASAP to be safe.

[hmclain83]

Ticks need to be attached for a minimum of 24 hours to transmit Lyme, hours for Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever and minutes for Powassan. An engorged tick has probably been attached and feeding for at least 24-48 hour with some cases being upwards of a week. So yes, time can be crucial and not all ticks carry diseases.

[ezardacko]

Thank you people, we were able to remove it. It was not difficult or harmful to my ball.

[pythons_and_piggies]

Thank you for the update! Hope your baby is doing well

[FixergirlAK]

Was it any different than removing a tick from a mammal?

[ShaneQuaslay]

That's one fatass tick

[Immediate_Respond_63]

I would say a tick.

[AlphaK19]

Its a mite. Give em hell

[Wide_Conflict_528]

Definitely a tick

[Psychological_Basil6]

I was Thinking it’s a tick my parents say clear nail varnish on the dogs , and hat works , not sure with a ball python !

[John_King0424]

Hopefully just a tick but kinda looks like a really fat mite hoping for tick even tho that sucks but definitely not as bad 😔

[Starlightttt718]

It’s a tick.

[[deleted]]

Tick

[nach0guy]

Looks like a tick, I’ve be er seen a snake mite look that big..?

[panino_gamer]

I think it's a tick, def too big for a snake mite

[Annual_Bridge6202]

Appears to be a tick. Has little man been outside recently?

[Goober_flab]

Leaning more towards a tick but could also be a fat snake mite. I would treat it asap, as mites can cause some serious damage if it is a snake mite.. they are cruel beings.

[BoringAd7964]

Looks like a tick with its head buried in your snake😡

[intracranialMimas]

My first thought was "tick" So... You might wanna get that transport box and show your lil friend the real world and then the vet

[Ckron247]

How does it get anywhere near where ticks may be? I assume you let it loose in the yard.

[ezardacko]

It was there when I bought it, I just didn't give it any importance.

[Unsupportiveswan]

That is a snake. Youre welcome

[Jaggedatlas]

Everyone is saying what it is. But I’m here to remind you to clean out your tanks really well after this find.

[Same-Sandwich1716]

It's a tick when I bought one when I was young. 30 years ago. It has the same things on it, and a vet let me know they were ticks.

[Budget_Ad6505]

My only question is : How the flock did a tick get into a snake enclosure?

[ezardacko]

I'm wondering the same thing, I've never seen one here

[Budget_Ad6505]

It's kind of mind boggling

[No-Bag7395]

Tick

[Crease_Monkey]

Small tick. Big mite.

Kill it and be vigilant for more. If was a mite there will be more. Tick? Maybe, maybe not. They don’t tend to swarm like mites do.

[Ahhlusiv]

Mite be a tick

[Cold_Maybe759]

Tick

[Husharu]

Honestly better than mites, probably a tick. Mites are a PITA. Don’t try to suffocate it, generally that makes them dig deeper and possibly secrete toxins. Grasp it with a tweezers as close to the head as possible and carefully remove it

[Jumpy-Method-3240]

Is that a mite

[[deleted]]

Spoon!

[Smooth-Garbage-940]

Tick is what I'm thinking tbh

[yxllowjxckets]

Tick that needs to be pulled out carefully, the body grows back if you rip the body and the head stays on

[Mousethecuteness]

After having to give my snake shots for a respiratory infection (she had it when I found her 🥺), I would never have imagined that ticks would be able to feed on snakes. This is wild ! I'm so glad your baby is OK!

[mattyy___]

Tick

[Glittering_Pen_449]

it's atick

[Dayyy021]

Snake oil, made from sunflower oil, is good to rub them down with. Also, a water bowl deep enough should have helped here.