Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Hi it's been a while since i've visit this forum, my little nerodia isnt little little anymore ! Almost 15 inch now. He's a bit more shy than when he was young. Still no aggressive behavior, hasnt bite or musk. We dont handle him very often...about once a week. Spend most of his day coil in some dark spot of his enclosure (is this normal ? ) But when i bring some trout piece he spring out His diet consist of some trout pieces and pinkyes ( trout every three day and pinkye once a week.) Occasional vitamin sprinkling. He had a bad shed a couple of month ago, and the very tip of his tail is almost black and all dried up. Look like its dead... its about a quarter of an inch not more. Anything i can do ? No swelling and it dont seem to hurt at all.

Any comment is welcome !

Mizar 21

It is completely normal for snakes to hide all the time. You might see a bit more of him if you were to provide an overhead basking lamp as his only heat source.

Nerodia have no problems with losing their tails. When their tails are grasped by a predator, most Nerodia will twist in an attempt to snap it off which allows them to escape. I don't think you'll have any problems with your snake's tail, though you might want to amputate the necrotic section and treat the exposed nub with some betadine and triple antibiotic cream (just in case the necrosis spreads).

-Pierson
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Pierson Hill

Herpetology and Herpetoculture

Ok, but its not necrosis...its just dry and dead...I'm reluctant to amputate it and then risk infection. I handle him today and he is more active than ever, slithering trough my finger, lol. It's funny to have him hiding in some dark part of his enclosure and springing out when he sense some movement. I hope he stay that way, not aggressive, when he will be at ful lenght !

Mizar 21

If there is dead skin on the tail there is the risk it will constrict circulation and lead to necropsy - dead tissue. This can lead to gangarine - an infection that can spread and kill your snake. I would suggest keeping the tail covered with anti-biotic every day. If nothing else, the moisture will help shed any dead skin. I would use tweezers to remove dead skin if possible.

Joe

I think I meant necrotic tissue. Necropsy is the animal version of an autopsy, right? auto, meaning "self" as in us humans. Necro meaning death - like necrophelia - love of death or the dead.

I understand what you meant, there is no danger for necrosis right now, its just the tip of the tail and it is very very dry, already dead. Less than a quarter of an inch.

Mizar 21