Baby Garter Mouth Injury

[dnovak1236]

We have a 2 year old garter snake who is doing great! Very tame. My neighbor recently got scared when she seen a baby garter and I think when she tried shoveling it into a pan, injured it's mouth (it is crooked and he has lump on the side back of it). Since he is so small, I have tried small cut up worms, cut up pinkies and even meal worms (which I am pretty sure they don't eat). He isn't eating at all. I separate them while trying to feed the little guy. Since I can't put him back outside since the ground is starting to freeze (it has been 32 and below in Illinois), I don't know what to do as far as getting him to eat or is he too damaged. Any advice would be greatly appreciated. He is only the size of a earth worm.

[infernalis]

Welcome, and I wish I had something better to say.

Your description almost sounds like a broken bone.

If the little thing has a broken jaw, it may never recover.

Do you have any pictures?

[Scaley.Jade]

how about brumating?

[dnovak1236]

What exactly is brumating? Like bruising?

[guidofatherof5]

Welcome, a picture would be great. Keep offering food in its enclosure so that it feels comfortable. Is it drinking water? If, so it could go weeks without eating. This could be some great recovery time. Find a good Herp. Vet and have it evaluated. Hope this helps.

[infernalis]

Oh yeah, is the tongue still flicking??

If it is flicking it's tongue, that can be a good sign.

[reptile3]

Hi & Welcome... sorry to hear about your snakie. I hope it's ok. Like the rest said, does your snake tongue flick? Pics would be great!

[jitami]

Welcome. Thanks for trying to help the little guy. How long have you had it? How long is it now? Other than not eating, does he act normally? Pictures would be great. I'd be inclined to move it to a separate cage, give it plenty of hides and some water, and give it a week or so to settle in, then feed it in it's own cage near a hide... may try small fish in water so shallow that the fish flop around a bit. Don't want to prolong his suffering, if he is suffering, but it may just be typical "new to captivity" stuff, too. Probably wouldn't hurt to have his temps on the warmer side, too... as long as he's drinking water...

[Stefan-A]

What exactly is brumating?

Their version of hibernation.

[dnovak1236]

Thank you all so much. I am going to try to attach pics. He is flicking once in a while, but not like my bigger guy Wilson. He is really tiny (you can see against my hand). I have only had him about 10 days and he is extremely nervous but was curled up with Wilson earlier today. Any advice is so appreciated and thanks again for all of your help.