Sloughed tongue skin

[adamanteus]

So guys, there's something I have seen countless times, but it's a thing I've never read about or never heard discussed anywhere.
It's the fact that snakes shed the skin off there tongues in one piece (or actually two) in the same way as they shed their bodies' skin.
Anyone of you seen this? Or read about it?
I first noticed years and years ago, when I found what appeared to be an eyelash or a tiny pubic hair in the glass runners of my viv. Since then I've seen it literally hundreds of times, and at some point I realised that these little 'hairs' are in fact the sloughed skin from the snakes' tongue.
I don't think this happens as part of the normal sloughing process, rather it seems to be an independant event.
So, comments please.:)

http://www.thamnophis.com/thamphotos/data//537/medium/Tongue_1.jpg

[adamanteus]

http://www.thamnophis.com/thamphotos/data//537/Tongue_2.jpg

[Snaky]

It's the first time I've heard of it. Never paid attention to this, since I didn't know they did this... But interesting to know.

[anji1971]

That's a very interesting discovery, James! I have a feeling it's not something that anyone's really noticed, being that the pieces of skin are so tiny. Most likely they just get swept away during cleaning and never even seen.
How lucky for you that they seem to collect in the runners on your viv -- in mine they're most likely buried in aspen, never to be found. (although you can bet I'll be looking for them now!!;))

[Stefan-A]

I've seen the old piece of skin hang out the front of the snake's mouth a couple of times. Thought it was substrate the first time, caught it with a pair of tweezers. :D

[Zephyr]

Are you sure it's the tongue? I would see if the end is forked...

[adamanteus]

Yes, I'm sure. It sloughs in two pieces, left and right.

[reptileparadise]

Never pai attention to this...But now you say so...I actually remember snakes having little 'hairs' hanging out of their mouths...

[Zephyr]

So, I wonder if they shed the inside of their mouth too...

[adamanteus]

Oh, It would seem I'm not the first to mention this!:rolleyes:

Snakes normally shed their skin in one piece. This may occur from 4 to 12 times a year, with young, rapidly growing snakes shedding more frequently. Snakes lack eyelids, and instead have a clear scale called the spectacle to cover and protect the eye. During ecdysis the dead outer layer of the spectacle is shed. The lining of the heat-sensitive pits on the face of certain boas, pythons, and pit vipers, and the outer layer of the spurs on boas and pythons are also shed at the same time as the skin. The dead layer of skin from the points of the forked tongue sloughs are the length of one fork of the tongue, pointed on one end and flat on the other, and appear somewhat worm-like. They are usually found in the water bowl, but may be seen elsewhere in the cage.

[adamanteus]

So, I wonder if they shed the inside of their mouth too...

I very much doubt that, Kyle.

[Zephyr]

But, why the tongue?! There has to be some reason for it...

[adamanteus]

I dare say it takes a lot of wear and tear in daily use.

[Snake lover 3-25]

very cool... but i NEVER would have figured that out...:):):):):):)

[Loren]

I remember hearing or reading of people finding them in their snake's water disshes before.
Cant say I've ever actually found one yet, but they are there.

[enigma200316]

thats good to know and u learn something every day.....
i'll have to keep more attention and report updates........:D

[ssssnakeluvr]

hmmm....can't recall ever finding them myself.