Tongue sticking out

I have a couple babies who will stick out their tongue and leave it out for a bit before pulling it back in. Is this a normal “newborn” thing?https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/202...98c098941c.jpg


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No, not normal IMO. Have you listened closely to their breathing? Any whistling, or crackly sounds? Bubbles in their mouth? I ask, because a respiratory infection (RI) can cause some oral stickiness that makes their tongue harder to flick- it can get stuck, like what you're seeing with these. I'm just suggesting that's a possibility to check on, okay?

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Originally Posted by Bogertophis

No, not normal IMO. Have you listened closely to their breathing? Any whistling, or crackly sounds? Bubbles in their mouth? I ask, because a respiratory infection (RI) can cause some oral stickiness that makes their tongue harder to flick- it can get stuck, like what you're seeing with these. I'm just suggesting that's a possibility to check on, okay?

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Nope, no symptoms of an RI. They just hatched yesterday. All seem healthy, just this weird tongue thing.


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Yours are just "forgetful" then? :rofl: I only suggested RI because I once had a BP shipped to me with a "sticky tongue" (and an RI!).

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Originally Posted by Bogertophis

Yours are just "forgetful" then? :rofl: I only suggested RI because I once had a BP shipped to me with a "sticky tongue" (and an RI!).

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Lol. Hopefully that’s all it is. I’ve had experiences in the past with new babies where they just don’t know how to use their muscles yet. I’m guessing that’s all it is. Wanted to make sure it wasn’t a tell tail sign of anything else though. That’s unfortunate, I always dread the thought of a snake showing up sick or injured.


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I've had some babies do it. Some of my adults of other species do it also.

Come to think of it, my elderly canine does this too sometimes. Forgets where his tongue is...:D Either that or he's trying to be "just one of the snakes"?

Just found my newborn bel doing the same thing. Freaked me out good lol. I'm guessing they are just learning how to use the thing lol :P it's kinda silly to think a new born would have an ri out of the egg.

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Originally Posted by benji4801

Just found my newborn bel doing the same thing. Freaked me out good lol. I'm guessing they are just learning how to use the thing lol :P it's kinda silly to think a new born would have an ri out of the egg.

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Stranger things. I believe the normal secretions in the mouth of reptiles may play a part in this phenomenon. Also if they just drank water and or if the tines came into contact with condensation or droplets on the inner enclosure.

I would think that it's more likely to happen because their mouth is dry & their dry tongue just sorta got stuck in that position? The things "babies" do... ;)

Maybe some leftover egg residue?
I let my hatchlings slither around in a freshwater bath before transferring them to a temp incubator box to get the gunk and vermiculite off. After that I didn't notice any slow tongue responses or even the stickiness where the ends are stuck together.

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Originally Posted by Armiyana

Maybe some leftover egg residue?
I let my hatchlings slither around in a freshwater bath before transferring them to a temp incubator box to get the gunk and vermiculite off. After that I didn't notice any slow tongue responses or even the stickiness where the ends are stuck together.

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I've used very damp paper towels & a little misting of clean water -for the same reason- either way, I'm glad you reminded those new to breeding snakes just how sticky things can be for neonates & hatchlings. Babies just usually need some cleaning up.

:O
Sometimes after a reptile drinks water, they can drink a lot. Some of the water will drip out and have a stringy, ropy consistency. When they flick their tongues out the tines of the tongue can have a tendency to stick together. Also you may notice the water has a thickened consistency as it mixes with the natural secretions in the mouth and pharyngeal flora.