Symbiotic relationship or major irritation?

• by dcardani

  2 questions: 1) Is this an elephant or a hippo? (Or something else?) and 2) are these bugs helpful, hurtful, or no big deal?

  Posted January 20, 2013 11:47 PM

• by wilderzone moderator

  Probably not a hippo, their skin is pretty smooth. Elephant, or maybe a particularly mangy buffalo? I suspect the pustules are either ingrown ticks, or botflies. Don't google botflies if you've just eaten or have a weak stomach.

  Posted January 21, 2013 6:05 AM

• by dcardani

  Wow! Botflies are creepy! 😃 Interesting, nonetheless.

  Posted January 28, 2013 1:03 AM

• by kiliclimber

  Picked up my own botfly on my scalp in Belize several years ago. US doctors aren't used to seeing them and it went undiagnosed until I figured it out myself shortly before it would have emerged on its own. Yep; they are gross, but fascinating!

  Posted January 28, 2013 5:28 AM