fwiends(mander.xyz)

posted 9 days ago

fossilesque@mander.xyzM

science_memes@mander.xyz

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perishthethought@lemm.ee

46 points

9 days ago

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Demodex

My fave parts (edited for brevity):

The adult mites are 0.3–0.4 mm (3⁄256–1⁄64 in) long. Each has a semitransparent, elongated body that consists of two fused parts. Eight short, segmented legs are attached to the first body segment. The body is covered with scales for anchoring itself in the hair follicle, and the mite has pin-like mouthparts for eating skin cells and oils that accumulate in the hair follicles.

… and …

The mites are transferred between hosts through contact with hair, eyebrows, and the sebaceous glands of the face.

Ohhh good.

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Maalus@lemmy.world

23 points

9 days ago

Wait, 0.3mm is huge, you should be able to see that. I don’t think this is right.

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jabathekek@sopuli.xyz

4 points

9 days ago

Maybe we do see them, but mistake them for bits of skin or dirt.

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Krackalot@discuss.tchncs.de

2 points

9 days ago

Agreed. 1/64th of an inch is .016". An average human hair is .003" in diameter, that would be as long as five hairs wide. You wouldn’t even need a magnifier to see the largest ones.

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Robust Mirror@aussie.zone

1 point

8 days ago

Combine the size with the fact that they are semi transparent and live in hair follicles and sebaceous glands, both of which are essentially under the skin, and that’s why you don’t generally see them.

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Classy@sh.itjust.works

4 points

9 days ago