Barely flicks his tongue

[SeeTheCityLights]

My ball only sticks his tongue out a littleeee bit, like just the tip of it. I have only seen him stick it all the way out when he was in shed and the shed was making him have the popping noise while he was breathing, and even during that, I only saw it like 2 or 3 times. Should I be worried?

[The Serpent Merchant]

How about when he eats? that is the only time that it really matters.

Does he seem alert when you hold him?

[SeeTheCityLights]

How about when he eats? that is the only time that it really matters.

Does he seem alert when you hold him?

The first time I saw him eat was when the pet store fed him, and I wasn't even paying attention there. Then the other day when we fed him, he struck within 3 seconds of the mouse hitting the floor, and again I wasn't looking at his tongue lol. He does seem alert when I hold him, he'll crawl around my fingers and arm. I'll definitely look for his tongue next time we feed him.

[The Serpent Merchant]

If he is alert and seems to know what is going on around him, I don't think that there is any issue. Just keep an eye on him just in case.

[Domepiece]

Maybe you could teach him (profile picture) All kidding aside I dont think its anything to worry about unless there is something wrong with the inside of his mouth.

[kitedemon]

Little to no tongue flicks is usually a stress reaction. Snakes can be hard to read, I usually look at the tension in body first a relaxed snake will not feel tight everywhere just where they are actively doing something. Curious lazy motion while exploring and lots of tongue flicking are hall marks of a relaxed snake.

A tight body full of tension, fast frantic movement, or next to no movement, no tongue flicks, I'd associate with 'I am too freaked out to care what is around me' The focus is on flight or fight and not what is over there. The tongue is a big exploratory organ but is not needed in fight flight mode.

Keep an eye on the snake feel what the body is like when you hold it, if you pay attention you will feel/see when the animal is getting stressed some it is fast almost instantly some tense and relax and stay calm some never relax and some and simply always chill and never tense up at all or very rarely.

[SeeTheCityLights]

Maybe you could teach him (profile picture) All kidding aside I dont think its anything to worry about unless there is something wrong with the inside of his mouth.

haha ok I'll be sure to teach him Thanks

Little to no tongue flicks is usually a stress reaction. Snakes can be hard to read, I usually look at the tension in body first a relaxed snake will not feel tight everywhere just where they are actively doing something. Curious lazy motion while exploring and lots of tongue flicking are hall marks of a relaxed snake.

A tight body full of tension, fast frantic movement, or next to no movement, no tongue flicks, I'd associate with 'I am too freaked out to care what is around me' The focus is on flight or fight and not what is over there. The tongue is a big exploratory organ but is not needed in fight flight mode.

Keep an eye on the snake feel what the body is like when you hold it, if you pay attention you will feel/see when the animal is getting stressed some it is fast almost instantly some tense and relax and stay calm some never relax and some and simply always chill and never tense up at all or very rarely.

He always seems pretty relaxed when I hold him. He'll be still for the first 30 seconds or so, then he starts crawling around, around my fingers, up my arm, etc. Even when I'm watching him in his cage, I don't really see tongue flicks, but he seems content in his cage.

[DooLittle]

How long have you had him? If he is new, you should let him settle in for a week, then gradually start handling, building up amount of time handled.

[SeeTheCityLights]

How long have you had him? If he is new, you should let him settle in for a week, then gradually start handling, building up amount of time handled.

I've had him since the 9th of this month. I let him settle in, and am now holding him every day, for 3 - 10 minutes.

[kitedemon]

No one can judge but you, you are there. I have a little girl that basically has no tongue. She is one eyed and has a mis formed head and has a tongue but it is short. Every once in a while you can see the tips of it nothing else.

Look at the throat under the head especially at night when she is out and about anyway. watch for a small expansion along the centre just at the base of skull area. This is the middle of the tongue sheath. You can see the contraction and change in muscles as they flick the tongue in my case I can see lucy 'flicking' hers even if it never leaves her mouth.