I would bet on the retained shed, as BC said.

What happens is, if a band of unshed skin is retained around the circumference of the tail, it shrinks as it dries out, cutting off circulation and the tip falls off by itself in due course.

I have seen a few tipless animals,(not in my collection) and my vet said he sees a few cases a year.
In fact I saw one this weekend, it was a male that someone needed sexed.

anyway thats my opinion
TomChambers

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