Identification Help with Grub-like creature

Trick · #1 (**permalink**) 28-07-2011, 08:50 AM

Hi,
I've just finished cleaning my hamster's cage and found this strange grub/worm/leech/thing on the draining board and have no idea what it is. If there's anyone who can tell me what it is in case they're a parasite that I need to keep an eye on, that would be great.

It's a little less than 10mm in length, appears to have a soft body with woodlouse-esque segmenting with a fat abdomen and a pointed head which had a short probiscis or similar appendage. It moved like a caterpillar but without legs. The photo provided shows the animal at full-stretch.

Thanks for any help!

Trick

Trick · #2 (**permalink**) 02-08-2011, 08:00 AM

No help at all on this one?

Trick

The Woodman · #3 (**permalink**) 02-08-2011, 08:08 AM

In light of no responses Trik, I'll have a stab and say it's a fly larva, not one of the usual housefly species. I've seen these before but cannot say what species it is.

If that was the only one, I wouldn't worry at all but keep on with the good husbandry, regular cleaning and disinfectrion of your hamsters cage.

Some one with greater knowledge of these things may pick up on this post and postively ID it for you.

In these warm humid conditions fly eggs hatch quickly in dung and soiled bedding, hence the need for regular maintenance.