Community identification
Walking Dandruff Mite (Cheyletiellosis)
Cheyletiella spp. (e.g., Cheyletiella yasguri, Cheyletiella blakei)
- Order & Family
- Order: Trombidiformes, Family: Cheyletidae
- Size
- 0.3 to 0.5 mm in length
Natural Habitat
On the skin surface and in the fur of mammals, especially dogs, cats, and rabbits
Diet & Feeding
Keratinaceous debris, tissue fluids, and skin surface oils
Behavior Patterns
These non-burrowing mites move rapidly across the skin surface among keratin flakes, giving the appearance of moving dandruff. They complete their entire life cycle on the host body.
Risks & Benefits
Highly contagious parasite causing itching, scaling, and skin lesions on pets. Can cause transient pruritic dermatitis and itchy bumps on human contact hosts, though they cannot complete their life cycle on humans.