Rattlesnake tongues

[Kerby Ross]

There are numerous ways to make a tongue for a rattlesnake.  I like using metal because it is durable.....we all know that everyone wants to touch it and ask if it is real, thus breaking it.  The metal tongue will hold up.  I take 2 pieces of small wire (fence post wire) and hammer them flat (optional), bend them to the desired position.  Then I take them to a grinder and grind the ends to a fine point.  I did this in a hurry for this tutorial, but if you spent more time you can make them finer. Mix a small amount of 2 part epoxy glue and glue the ends together.  Once dried I then mix 2 part apoxy sculpt and add it to the base of the tongue.  Once dried I then add color.  This is quite variable to each snake.  First color on is liquid scales # LS 107 Pink Pearl.  Once dried I then add Pearl Ex powder pigment # 687 True Blue.  Since this is a powder you will have to seal or lock in the powder or it will rub off.  Any sealer will work.  Once dried I then air brush some black umber thinning as it goes to the points.  Then I seal it with a gloss.  Some snakes have more blue or purple on the thicker part of the tongue.

Kerby...

[Redwolf]

Looks good Kerby. Thanks for sharing.