My Snake leaves his tongue out?

[Lopez]

sometimes my snake leaves the end of his tongue out. Is this a normal thing? Whenever i touch it he sticks it back in and acts normal otherwise.

[Forrest]

Don't worry this is normal. Sometimes my Cornsnake does the same thing and I've had her for about 6 years no problems. Just make sure the snakes sheds are normal ( whole sheds not some here some there ect.ect.) and the snake is feeding regularly. If those two criteria are met then you are doing a fine job. Just a quick question how long have you had your snake?

[Adam_Wysocki]

The only ball python that I've ever owned that would stick it's tongue out for extended periods of time was an egg bound female. She was in a lot of discomfort and very lethargic.

If it's a new animal and you haven't been to a vet yet, I'd recommend it. If nothing more than to just get to know your vet and have him/her give an overall health assesment of your snake. After that, annual visits to a vet for your ball python is actually a very good practice to get in the habit of.

There isn't a person on the planet that can accurately diagnose a potentially sick snake over the internet. It's all "best guess". That's why having a local vet that can see your snake in person is a valuable resource.

Of course, this is all just my opinion for whatever it's worth.

Good luck.

-adam

[Forrest]

Adam, you truly are a valuable resource for this forum...I always forget about the vet (duh lol)

[Adam_Wysocki]

Adam, you truly are a valuable resource for this forum...I always forget about the vet (duh lol)

I don't know about all that ... I'm just a geek with a big mouth .... It helps that one of my closest friends is a herp vet and pounds this stuff into my head every time we "talk shop".

-adam

[Forrest]

Have you heard of or do you know of any good herp vets in Colorado, I've been looking for quite some time but so far have come up short....way short. I do know of a couple who will look at them but I can't say I really have trusted any of them because most of them mainly deal with dogs and cats...but I do have healthy snakes according to the ones I have tried (they just wanted to check their poop)

[Adam_Wysocki]

Roger Klingenberg DVM
Stephanie Buchholtz, DVM
Sheep Draw Veterinary Hospital
6297 West 10th Street
Greeley, CO 80634
Tel: (970) 351-0936

If you're close (I know CO is a big state) Dr. Klingenberg is one of the top herp vets in the world .... he literally wrote the book on many aspects of reptile husbandry and care.

Or, this link might show someone closer .... http://www.herpvetconnection.com/colorado.shtml

-adam

[frankykeno]

If you have a decent zoo in Denver that has a healthy reptile collection I'd phone and ask to speak to the head keeper for reptiles and ask for a referral to a vet with herp experience (but then I'm the "bold type" and never figures it hurts to ask anyone anything LOL).


~~Jo~~