Reptile & Amphibian Forums

maybe a stupid question but I was wondering if something is wrong with my albino female. I noticed when I had her out that when she flicks her tongue one side stays curled in her mouth is this normal or is there something wrong? has it happened to anyone else? this isn't the first time anyway thanks, Kyle

Usually its just a sign that her mouth is a little dry, and that her water, if she has some, may need to be changed. If she doesnt have any, shame on you! Get some in there right away! If there is some in there, and its fresh, you may have some residual soap or something in it, and you just may need to dump it and put fresh in there.
If that isnt the problem, then you may wanna go ahead and open her mouth up (gently!) and see if her tongue is hung up on a tooth. if not, and she looks okay, then while the mouth is open, rinse it out with a very small amt of water, (like a table spoonful or so) and see if that helps.
If it doesnt, get her to a vet.

Thanks for your concern but she quit doing it about 10 minutes after I posted and yes I give her fresh water everyday. I also clean the bowl so it might have been just stuck on a tooth. Just in case I raised the humidity if she is starting to get a upper respiritory infection. what is the best method of opening their mouth to look inside? I have tried several times and she squirms around so i let go, I don't want to hurt her. anyway thanks for the replies. Kyle

You can open her mouth by gently, yet firmly holding her head and using a popsicle stick, chopstick, or something else that isn't very thick to gently pry it open. Be very careful with her teeth. A wet mouth, one in which you can see saliva, indicates a possible r.i. R.I.'s that are just starting can be effectively treated with increased heat. One end of her cage should be 90 at all times and really that is all she will need. Make sure she has enough space to thermoregulate. Humidity for Burms should be around 70. Mine have never gotten sick, even though I've moved them three times in their lives (the first time a move of 1200 miles). Hope that helps.
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Marcia Pimentel
Tango River Reptiles (Off-line Temporarily)
GiantFeeders

thanks for the help. I will check her mouth

another instrument that works well for opening the mouth is a spatula. Its a bit softer than some other things though, so you may have to move to something a bit more stiff if that wont work.
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1.0 Albino Green Burm
0.2 Normal Burm
1.1 Java Retic

Excessively wet tongues, as in a sign of an upper respiratory infection, will do that.
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Marcia Pimentel
Tango River Reptiles (Off-line Temporarily)
GiantFeeders