Can Lizards get ticks?

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   Hi All,

Just wondering if Common Lizards can be bitten by ticks? The Common Lizard in this picture seems to have something behind its front leg and I am not really sure of what else it could be. It was in Scotland so there would have been plenty of ticks around.

Cheers for your thoughts!

Rob 

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Adderz Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Member Joined: 01 Mar 2011 Location: United Kingdom Status: Offline Points: 17	Post Options Post Reply Quote Adderz Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Topic: Can Lizards get ticks? Posted: 07 Sep 2011 at 6:24pm
	Hi All, Just wondering if Common Lizards can be bitten by ticks? The Common Lizard in this picture seems to have something behind its front leg and I am not really sure of what else it could be. It was in Scotland so there would have been plenty of ticks around. Cheers for your thoughts! Rob
	I started out with nothing and I've still got most of it left....

Iowarth Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Admin Group Joined: 12 Apr 2004 Status: Offline Points: 735	Post Options Post Reply Quote Iowarth Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 07 Sep 2011 at 7:27pm
	Hi Rob Yeap, they certainly can. We see them a lot on Common Lizards and Sand Lizards down here, especially when there are deer around. Certainly these appear to be fairly typical ticks. Chris
	Chris Davis, Site Administrator Co-ordinator, Sand Lizard Captive Breeding Programme (RETIRED)

Richard2 Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Senior Member Joined: 01 Dec 2010 Status: Offline Points: 285	Post Options Post Reply Quote Richard2 Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 07 Sep 2011 at 9:21pm
	I've noticed that the ticks nearly always seem to be in that position, just behind the front legs. I wonder why. Is it the warmest part of the body?

Iowarth Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Admin Group Joined: 12 Apr 2004 Status: Offline Points: 735	Post Options Post Reply Quote Iowarth Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 07 Sep 2011 at 10:02pm
	I should imagine it is simply that this is the main position which combines relatively soft scalation with the inability of the lizard to remove them. If a tick attached further back on the body the lizard would simply turn round and nibble it off!! Certainly seen them doing this with mites. Chris
	Chris Davis, Site Administrator Co-ordinator, Sand Lizard Captive Breeding Programme (RETIRED)

Richard2 Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Senior Member Joined: 01 Dec 2010 Status: Offline Points: 285	Post Options Post Reply Quote Richard2 Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 07 Sep 2011 at 10:09pm
	Interesting - that certainly makes sense. I suppose it's also the position in which the ticks are most sheltered from being snagged as the lizard moves through vegetation.

Richard2 Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Senior Member Joined: 01 Dec 2010 Status: Offline Points: 285	Post Options Post Reply Quote Richard2 Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 07 Sep 2011 at 10:13pm
	I don't remember seeing them on snakes. Have you? Could be because they'd be forced off as the snake went through thick stalks and roots.

GemmaJF Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Admin Group Joined: 25 Jan 2003 Location: Essex Status: Offline Points: 4330	Post Options Post Reply Quote GemmaJF Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 08 Sep 2011 at 5:03pm
	I've seen ticks on grass snakes that were otherwise debilitated or poorly. I'm guessing perhaps a healthy snake which regularly sloughs would be fairly tick free, whereas one in very poor condition may not be sloughing.

AGILIS Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Senior Member Joined: 27 Feb 2007 Location: United Kingdom Status: Offline Points: 1689	Post Options Post Reply Quote AGILIS Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 09 Sep 2011 at 8:02am
	Here is a pic of a juvenile La with a tic on its arm pit that was basking at Stoborough in May, Is a dab of parrafin on the ticks body still a good method of treatment as its not advised to bust tick due to infection as tick dies with head still in the skin?? keith Edited by AGILIS - 09 Sep 2011 at 8:05am
	LOCAL ICYNICAL CELTIC ECO WARRIOR AND FAILED DRUID

Liz Heard Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Senior Member Joined: 27 Apr 2010 Location: South West Status: Offline Points: 1385	Post Options Post Reply Quote Liz Heard Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 09 Sep 2011 at 5:12pm
	without wishing to state the obvious, its worth bearing in mind that humans can get ticks too. and that they carry a nasty disease (Lyme's). a mate of mine (a deer stalker) has got it. he diagnosed himself by researching his symptoms on the net and then having it confirmed by his GP. from what hes told me, its pretty nasty and very debilitating, so beware herpers!

GemmaJF Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Admin Group Joined: 25 Jan 2003 Location: Essex Status: Offline Points: 4330	Post Options Post Reply Quote GemmaJF Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 09 Sep 2011 at 6:10pm
	Certainly worth 'de-ticking' after being in bracken for the day. I've had a few!