Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Found a yellow rat a couple days ago. A subadult male, three feet or so.

He was on the short end of an encounter with a hawk most likely, possibly chewed on a bit by scavenging mammals also.

He has puncture wounds down his back which are already healing nicely, and has full strength with his body.

Unfortunately he was bitten in the head. He has one puncture right between the eyes, and one on the bottom of the head in the same spot, probably a beak.

He is somewhat sluggish, has never flicked his tongue and his eyes are a bit puffy, slightly bloody, and I am all but positive he is completely blind. He seems to have limited control of his head motion, with kind of a bobbling motion, but can climb well, and tries to escape a bit fdrom his enclosure.

Has anyone ever seen such a thing, I am concerned he has some brain damage. If he is blind, and cant flick his tongue, is there any hope of captive survival, I would like to save the poor guy, he has really been through the mill.

Thanx for reading,

Matt

Nature at work.
Unfortunately, all you can do is wait and see.
Maybe you surprised an animal as it was about to kill and eat the poor fellow. Maybe it was actually hit by a car.

If the eyes are not damaged, it will probably see again. If not, the its definitely brain damage, and with the size brains snakes have, it's likely a goner.
JMO,
Jack
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...and I think to myself, "What a wonderful world."

I thought he was clipped by a car at first as well, but after I looked him over I changed my mind.

It certainly looks like raptor wounds, several punctures up his back, no big deal there. It really looks like a beak clamped down right on his head the way the punctures are located on the top and bottom of the head.

Either way, I will try to save the poor guy. I hear you about nature at work, and I appreciate that. I stepped in however and took the injured animal from the road, so now I am obligated to do what I can.

If he doesn't make it, one of my kings will get a treat....lol

thanx for replying.

Matt