Trying but can't use her tongue

[Adam Chandler]

My black pewter has been a amazing eater. Every time I've offered her food since I got her she takes without hesitation.
On friday I offered her a crawler rat and she didn't seem interested. She had just shed the week before and I was really expecting a aggressive feeding response from her.
Considering her normal response I decided to take her out for a bit and check her out. She was active looking and crawling around and made no noises, everything seemed normal...until I realized as she was crawling around she was not flicking her tongue
I took a closer look and I can she as she was crawling she was using the muscles in her throat to try to use it but I wasn't coming out, as you can see in this video:YouTube - black pewter stuck tongue
I opened her mouth to take a look for any injuries but everything looks normal. Her tongue is in its sheath with the tip peaking out. There is no sign of an mark or injury. She is eating live crawler rats, which I've never seen bite anything.

Has anyone seen this problem before or have any idea what it might be?

[dr del]

Hi,

It could ( possibly ) be the start of an RI.

Or it could be she is slightly dehydrated.

I would try giving her a soak in 84f water just deep enough to come half way up her sides ( no hotter or deeper though and keep an eye on her during it ).


dr del

[Vypyrz]

I have to agree with Dr Del simply because I have never seen that before unless it was because of mouth rot or RI when the mouth was full of mucus. Keep us updated though, I am interested in seeing what works. Good Luck...

[cinderbird]

are you sure she got the shed all the way off? The only time i've seen this is when an animal is either in shed, or has a stuck shed. Once the shed is removed it goes away completely--rather they can use their tongue fully again.

I can demonstrate this with one of my poor little solomon islands :/ shes got a stuck shed that we're working on removing. poor baby.

If shes got all her shed off i'd give her a soak in 80ish degree water (luke warm) for 15-20 mins and see how she is after that.

[Adam Chandler]

Thanks guys. No it was a clean shed. I soaked her last night for 20min. I'll soak her once again tonight and wait a couple days and see if there is any improvement.

[WingedWolfPsion]

I cannot figure out why a stuck shed would cause a snake to be unable to stick out its tongue.

[Adam Chandler]

Just an update. She is still not using her tongue however she ate today so I am alot less worried since she is eating again.

[wax32]

Huh, you don't realize how used to seeing a snake stick out their tongue until you see them NOT doing it. I hope you figure out what is wrong... something has got to be wrong!

[mommanessy247]

thats interesting but a little sad on the same note cuz snakes smell with their tongue so its vital that they be able to use it. i'd try a trip to the vet to see if he/she can come up with a cause/solution.

[cinderbird]

I cannot figure out why a stuck shed would cause a snake to be unable to stick out its tongue.

I wish i had an explanation, but i've seen it multiple times in my animals (not just stuck shed, but any part of the shed cycle really). Just something i've noticed. as soon as the shed goes away, their tongues are back to normal.