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Ecto -parasite?: |
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Peter Vaughan Senior Member Joined: 21 Mar 2005 No. of posts: 170  View other posts by Peter Vaughan |
Posted: 05 Apr 2005 While watching a group of three Common Lizards on a woodpile this afternoon I noticed one with some grey oval objects on its body just behind a foreleg. Some of these seemed to be lost as it moved around but I took a picture of one still attached (to follow). Grateful for advice on whether it is likely to be parasite - possibly a tic? Peter vaughan Peter Vaughan |
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Alan Hyde Senior Member Joined: 17 Apr 2003 No. of posts: 1416 View other posts by Alan Hyde |
Posted: 05 Apr 2005 Hi Peter , Yup, Probably Tics. I've often found tics on various reptiles out in the field , both here and abroad. Cheers, Al O-> O+> |
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GemmaJF Admin Group Joined: 25 Jan 2003 No. of posts: 2090  View other posts by GemmaJF |
Posted: 05 Apr 2005
Gemma Fairchild, Independent Ecological Consultant |
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David Bird Forum Specialist Joined: 17 Feb 2003 No. of posts: 515 View other posts by David Bird |
Posted: 06 Apr 2005 Most probably the tick Ixodes ricinus David British Herpetological Society Librarian and member of B.H.S Conservation Committee. Self employed Herpetological Consultant and Field Worker. |
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Mick Member Joined: 10 Jun 2005 No. of posts: 184 View other posts by Mick |
Posted: 15 Jun 2005 Just a note for any amateur herper's keeping lizards in captivity that might have tics, i'd highly recommend a few cotton bud dabs of 'Frontline' pet spray. Very effective stuff that'll rid a reptile (or ya cat, or dog) of uncomfortable tics in no time! I clumsily once missed & got a soaked dab of the stuff on the eye of a Green lizard, & although the lizard didn't react at all, i immediately dabbed its eye with warm water to rinse & the handsome fella was absolutely fine, & within moments had shot off & grabbed itself a chunky cricket! Think his leg pit tics were dead & gone within 24h'rs! ( Doubt i'd recommend for shed skin eating reptiles like Leopard Gecko's though.) |
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Iowarth Admin Group Joined: 12 Apr 2004 No. of posts: 222 View other posts by Iowarth |
Posted: 15 Jun 2005 As Dave says above - probably the Sheep Tick (Ixodes ricinus). Seem fairly frequent on Lacerta agilis and Z. vivipara in heath (possibly deer as vector) although I have never seen them on dune animals. Chris Davis, Site Administrator Co-ordinator, Sand Lizard Captive Breeding Programme |
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B Lewis Krag Committee Joined: 24 Aug 2004 No. of posts: 146  View other posts by B Lewis |
Posted: 15 Jun 2005 Hi there, Be very careful with Frontline, it works well and contains the active ingredient fipronil. Althoug it's not a systemic drug it has a very high alcohol content and this can cool the animals as it evaporates. I have used a dilute solutions on mammals, diluted with isopropyl alcohol and yes it does work very well. However, there are simple little gadgets called 'pro-tick' removers that you can buy from your local vet and you can use these to pluck off the ticks without leaving mouthparts behind etc.. I have used this extensively on wildlife casualties and humans as well, and to date no problems. Kind regards Brett.
Lewis Ecology Brett Lewis Photography Kent Reptile & Amphibian Group DICE - University of Kent |
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Peter Vaughan Senior Member Joined: 21 Mar 2005 No. of posts: 170 View other posts by Peter Vaughan |
Posted: 15 Jun 2005 Further to Chris Davis's comments on possible vectors - there are no sheep on the site (a wet heath) where I saw the Common Lizard with the tic but there are Roe Deer and horses. P.S. Are there still Sand Lizards and Natterjacks on the Wirral coast? I lived in the area as a youth back in the 1970s, and although I never (knowingly) saw Sand Lizards I did see Natterjacks at one sand dune location. Peter Vaughan Peter Vaughan |
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Iowarth Admin Group Joined: 12 Apr 2004 No. of posts: 222 View other posts by Iowarth |
Posted: 16 Jun 2005 Hi Peter Re the Wirral while there certainly were Sand Lizards and Natterjack Toads there, we have carried out extensive monitoring over the last few years without seeing any. Conversely it must be emphasised that there are undoubtedly small areas of isolated habitat which we haven't even found, let alone visited, so it is just barely possible that there is a relict population hanging in there somewhere. "The absence of evidence is not the same as the evidence of absence" (thanks Chris Gleed-Owen!). There is some potential for re-intros but this needs careful consideration of all the relevant factors. Any Wirral inhabitants who know of Wirral animals? Let us at The HCT know please. Chris Davis, Site Administrator Co-ordinator, Sand Lizard Captive Breeding Programme |
- Ecto -parasite? |
