Diversity Of Ectoparasites Infested On Snakes Collected In Bogor

Abstract

Ectoparasites such as ticks and mites are known to infest both wild and captive snakes. These parasites have the chance to spread diseases among snakes and even to humans making them potential zoonotic vectors. This research is aimed at studying the diversity of ectoparasites that infests the snakes in Bogor to assess the prevalence of infestation and the types of snakes vulnerable to them. A total of 104 snakes were collected and examined for ectoparasites around the region of Bogor. The findings show that the snakes collected have an ectoparasitic infestation prevalence rate of 7.69% (8/104). The reticulated python, Malayopython reticulatus, was found to be the species most vulnerable to ectoparasite infestations at a rate of 66.66%. The identified species found to be infesting the snakes consisted of ticks and mites which were Amblyomma helvolum, Amblyomma varanense and Ophionyssus natricis. The risk of a snake being infested by ectoparasite is influenced by the habitat they live in the wild, behavior and biosecurity of the enclosure they are kept in.