Taxidermy.Net Forum - Rattlesnake tongues

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...