Need help with my wild caught Rat

[Derek1]

Went to handle my wild caught Rat tonight for the first time. A little flighty but cool once in hand. I noticed her tongue was sticking out the side. She was still trying to flicking about, but it wouldn't go back into her mouth like it was stuck. After about 5 minutes and as I was piddling around she got it to the front of her mouth, I didn't see how this happened, but the tongue still won't go all the way back in and she's not flicking her tongue like a normal snake would. What's going on? Here are some pics of the side tongue.

[jjhill001]

Was it like that when you caught it, also just my opinion but cb rat snakes are not very expensive and taking a wild snake in is really kind of unnecessary. It could have hurt itself during capture or when it was put in its cage. I'll do some research for a bit and see what I can find.

[jjhill001]

The only thing I could find similar to this is on a yahoo answers thing but the prognosis was that it struck at something and hit it injuring itself. Some said lockjaw others believed it could be mouth rot or something like that.

[Derek1]

Originally Posted by jjhill001

also just my opinion but cb rat snakes are not very expensive and taking a wild snake in is really kind of unnecessary. .

Agree. But not looking to get into that debate on this thread. I've always wanted a baby "Texas" Rat Snake, and now I have one. And just want to make sure she is taken well care of.

[Derek1]

She eats well too. No issues at all the past 2 weeks.

[Derek1]

I think she was totally faking it! (dead)! I was worried so I went back into handle/checkup and she is completely normal and all is good. She's a character.

[sharthun]

Originally Posted by Derek1

I think she was totally faking it! (dead)! I was worried so I went back into handle/checkup and she is completely normal and all is good. She's a character.

Good news!