Problem with hatchling ghost corn

[Sammy412]

In all the time I have bred corns, I have never seen this. Maybe some of you guys have. I have a male ghost hatchling, 6 days out of the egg. He cannot open his mouth. He can't even tongue-flick. I figure he is probably going to die. I have done reptile rescue and rehab for 12 years+. Never heard of this. So this afternoon, I may try to open his mouth myself. If I don't he is definitely not going to make it. Any thoughts?

[joepythons]

In all the time I have bred corns, I have never seen this. Maybe some of you guys have. I have a male ghost hatchling, 6 days out of the egg. He cannot open his mouth. He can't even tongue-flick. I figure he is probably going to die. I have done reptile rescue and rehab for 12 years+. Never heard of this. So this afternoon, I may try to open his mouth myself. If I don't he is definitely not going to make it. Any thoughts?

Does his mouth look disfigured?

[Sammy412]

No, not at all. He needs to shed, and looks like it will be in the next day or so. I haven't seen him drinking and have never seen him flick, even though I check the babies every day. I have been keeping the humidity up to help with the shed.

[kellysballs]

Can you open his mouth or is it fused together?

[Sammy412]

That's what I'm going to try to find out. It doesn't look to be fused, but that doesn't mean it isn't

[cinderbird]

can you post pictures?

If you cant get him to even open his mouth after he sheds the best thing to do may be euthanizing him..

[Sammy412]

His mouth opens fine, and looks normal inside, except.........his tongue does not come out. You can see it inside the sheath, but it never came out. Possibly a genetic flaw....glad it is not one that I actually bred, I would not use those parents if it were. I have notified the breeder to make them aware. Therefore, I don't see how he can smell water or his food. Don't think shedding is going to help. I will probably just go ahead and put him down

[Sammy412]

Took him out a few minutes ago to check on him, and thought I saw some tongue flicks.....hard because he and it are so tiny, so I put him in the deli cup with a damp paper towel on the warm side of his shoebox to see if I can help him shed......don't want to put him down too hastily, but don't want him to suffer either.

[AkHerps]

Not all snakes tongue flick a lot, I actually hardly ever see our corn snake do it.

[Sammy412]

I'm going to give him a chance to shed out and see if he'll eat......he's pretty small, and I think he is having a hard time with his first shed. like I say, I hate to be hasty and puthim down without giving him a chance. I once knew someone who had a hogg island boa that was as limp as a wet noodle.....everyone thought he was sick, genetically flawed, doomed......he threw the prettiest babies and was a great eater......so you never know