Dry sheds are due to dehydration, improper temperatures, illness and stress. Allow the animal to hide in a moist location when shedding, such as a water dish or container with a damp towel. Correct the improper conditions. Mites are small blood sucking ectoparasites, which are irritating to snakes. They appear as small black dots on the animal or in its dish.
Ticks are blood sucking ectoparasites that are often found on wild caught animals.
Removal of ticks is achieved by a clockwise twisting of the parasite or suffocating the tick with vaseline until it dies in a few days and then removing. Internal parasites can be a problem, especially with imported animals. Symptoms such as failure to thrive, regurgitation, failure to feed, and depression are all possible signs of a parasitic infestation. It may be a wise move to bring a fresh fecal sample to a veterinarian, and if necessary treat for parasites. Refer to the Snake Disorder care card.