HELP, substrate stuck in mouth.

My ball python has a piece of substrate (forest floor) stuck in his mouth. He has been opening his mouth and rubbing his face on things to try getting it out, but with no luck. I would try to open his mouth and get it out for him but 1. I don't know how to do that. 2. He just ate about half an hour ago and I don't know if I should disturb him so much yet?
What should I do? Wil the substrate come out on it's own or get swallowed eventually? Is it safe to swallow one piece?

If you can see the piece of substrate I'd be tempted to get him out gently , hold his body securely in a towel with one hand ad pull the substrate out with your other hand ( use tweezers if you like ) .

It's a Royal so you should be fine .. just be slow and very gentle

If you don't already then in future simply lay a couple of pieces of card or A4 paper down before feeding and offer over that .

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Originally Posted by Zincubus

If you can see the piece of substrate I'd be tempted to get him out gently , hold his body securely in a towel with one hand ad pull the substrate out with your other hand ( use tweezers if you like ) .

It's a Royal so you should be fine ..


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I can't see the substrate piece. I saw it in his mouth when he opened it, but it is not sticking out in a way that I can pull it out without opening his mouth all the way.

I'd still be tempted to try what I suggested as they are so gentle and forgiving.
I'd get him nice and secure as suggested above then very GENTLY try to prise open his mouth slowly and hopefully you'll be able to pull it out with tweezers. ..


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I just tried opening his mouth, but I can't do it. I've never done it before. I tried following a YouTube video, but he is not letting me restrain his head.
I don't know what to do to help him

Hold him with your thumb and index finger at each joint of his head/mouth. Then gently use the middle section of a Q-Tip to pry the mouth open. It wont take much force. Then you just push the Q-Tip back to the where the jaws meet and it will keep the snakes mouth open. then you can use another Q-Tip with either the cotton end or break the cotton end off to remove the piece of substrate. If there is a decent amount, you can also hang the snakes head facing the floor and use a spray bottle with water and gently rinse their mouth out. I had to do with Gina two times as when she was a baby, she got so much Eco Earth packed into her mouth, she literally couldnt close her mouth and them ore she tried to remove it, the more she would get packed in there.

Oh and i forgot to mention, be sure to break one side of the Q-Tip so you can slide it out the side of the mouth when done as you might have an issue trying to pull it outward as snakes teeth curve backwards.

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Originally Posted by Hannahrenee

I just tried opening his mouth, but I can't do it. I've never done it before. I tried following a YouTube video, but he is not letting me restrain his head.
I don't know what to do to help him

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Well most snakes dont like it. I had to unhook a tooth that had pierced the upper lip of my 7-8 foot retic and let me tell you, that was excitement. He wrapped around my whole waist and around my right leg about 2-3 times and was squeezing. I'm not a thin guy either and it was work. i swore i was going to get bit when i put him back and he was thrashing and squeezing and breathing heavy and overall pissed off. I didnt get bit but i did get the stink eye and hand shoving with the body for about 3-4 days. Then he finally came around and came back to say hi to me.

If it's not sticking out of his mouth I wouldn't try to pull it out. My snakes eat a bit of substrate all the time and I've never had a problem. Snakes eat stuff like that all the time in the wild.

I agree, if it isnt bothering the snake, then just let it be. They will drink and swallow it. I've had all my snakes eat anything from aspen to small pieces of reptichips. it happens. If the snake looks like it is gagging or opening its mouth and looking like it is trying to expel something, then check. Or in the case of my suriname, where she literally had an open mouth full of Eco Earth lol.

My method also works if you need to check your snake for mouth rot or an RI. But can also just push up and forward on the lower jaw in the middle where the skin folds to check for an RI too. If you see bubbles or fluids ooze out the sides or the little tongue hole, then you know its time to whip out the wallet and call the vet.

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Originally Posted by cchardwick

If it's not sticking out of his mouth I wouldn't try to pull it out. My snakes eat a bit of substrate all the time and I've never had a problem. Snakes eat stuff like that all the time in the wild.

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Yeah .. it's just that Royals are so easy and safe to manipulate- I wouldn't chance it with my Kings or Retic [emoji4]

Guess it all depends on the size of the snake in comparison to the size of the wood pieces and even the consistency of the pieces ?

I worry about impaction and I'd guess many types of snakes we keep never come across pieces of dry wood bark in the wild ... as far as I know whilst snakes CAN digest bone they can't digest wood ... I'm a worrier and as such play the % [emoji4]


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