Global InformationOphionyssus natricis information
| Ophionyssus natricis | |
|---|---|
| |
| Male Ophionyssus natricis | |
Scientific classification 
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| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Arthropoda |
| Subphylum: | Chelicerata |
| Class: | Arachnida |
| Order: | Mesostigmata |
| Family: | Macronyssidae |
| Genus: | Ophionyssus |
| Species: | O. natricis
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| Binomial name | |
| Ophionyssus natricis (Gervais, 1844)
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Ophionyssus natricis, the reptile mite, is a parasitic mite most commonly found on snakes, but also occurring on captive lizards, turtles, crocodiles, and other reptiles.[1] The parasites feed on snakes, which cause the bodies of the mites to be engorged with blood and fluids from the snake. Once the mites feed by puncturing through the snake skin, the snake usually shows symptoms of irritation and discomfort. The involvement of snake mites in transmission of infectious illnesses like inclusion body disease and ophidian paramyxovirus remains controversial. Human infestation has been reported.[2]
- ^ http://www.karingalvet.com.au/html/s02_article/article_view.asp?id=196&nav_cat_id=162&nav_top_id=57[permanent dead link]
- ^ H. Schultz (December 1975). "Human infestation by Ophionyssus natricis snake mite". British Journal of Dermatology. 93 (6): 695–697. doi:10.1111/j.1365-2133.1975.tb05120.x. PMID 1240764. S2CID 6021004.