Losing the tip of the tail is not uncommon for wild snakes. The common wisdow was that these unfortunate individuals were the victims of malicious but inaccurate hoe-weilding gardeners.

However, it is now known that many snakes are able to sacrifice the tail tip as an escape tactic from predators. This is especially true for thin dirunal snakes like Racers. While this is similar to many lizards, snakes lack the ability to regenerate the lost tail, and will be forever stumpy afterwards. Tail tips may also be lost as the result of freeze injuries during winter brumation.

Losing a tail tip due to an incomplete shed may be disconcerting to the keeper, but to the snake is not a serious injury in and of itself. The snake will continue to grow, and shed, and in time you won't even be able to tell.

Your snake will be fine.

John D.
-----
I am so not lesdysxic!

0.1 Creamsicle Cornsake "Yolanda"
1.0 Bairds Ratsnake "Steely Dan"
0.1 Desert Kingsnake "FATTY"
0.1 Black Rat (WV Rescue) "Roberta"

[ Hide Replies ]

• Tip of tail dead?! - K_House, Tue Oct 24 08:57:52 2006
• RE: Tip of tail dead?! - Paul Hollander, Tue Oct 24 17:15:49 2006
• RE: Tip of tail dead?! - K_House, Wed Oct 25 07:28:52 2006
• RE: Tip of tail dead?! - Rivets55, Wed Oct 25 12:33:22 2006
• Your other question... - chrish, Wed Oct 25 14:57:25 2006