Reptile & Amphibian Forums

My Snow constantly did not loose the end of her shed around her tail. This happened very frequently. The small end of her tail is now black. I need to know if this is naturally going fall off or what I should do. I understand it is from a lack of circulation. Is this gonna lead to any other problems. Please let me know.

BTW: Father of her also had this problem and now has a stumpy tail.

What i have done when my corns leave the shed on the tip of thier tails is soak the tails in water. I hold the snake and place the tail in water and let it soak. Then i very gently work the shed off.
Now your snakes tail has turned black. I'm not sure if this is an infection or the tip as already died. I think if I were you and this was my snake I would see a vet. Good luck and let us know what happens.
Sincerly,
Chuck

If its black, there is nothing a vet can do beside amputate it. But, it will fall off in a few weeks on its own. Its too late to worry about it, so I wouldn't, if I were you.

However, the stump may always have a problem with shedding and get progressivly worse each time it happens, so you'll have to watch for that. Plus, you still have to address whatever it is that caused the problem in the first place. Just make sure your animal has access to plenty of water and that the humidity is good in your vivarium.

Good luck with it...
-----
Darin Chappell
Hillbilly Herps
PO Box 254
Rogersville, MO 65742

Let me ask some dumb questions. How do you know this will fall off in a few weeks? Has this happened to any of your snakes? The reason i ask is how do you know there is not an infection? That was my only concern for the snake. But you are saying not to worry about it.
How can you say that without seeing the snake? I'm not trying to be a smart ass, so please don't take this wrong. My only concern is for the health of the snake. And you are right. He needs to fix the cage set up so this does not happen to another snake.
Sincerly,
Chuck

Darin is right. When they turn black and hard there is nothing a vet can do that won't happen naturally. The end of the tail will fall off.
What needs to be done is after every shed take the snake out and inspect its whole body especially the tail. If there is skin left, peal it off or it can build up again.
Most people that have been around snakes for any length of time have seen this occur.
By the way...this little beauty came from Darin.
The first picture is fairly recent. It's not the best picture but it is obvious how nice this little amel motley is. The second pic is when he was a couple of months old.


-----
Corn snakes and rat snakes..No one can have just one.
"resistance is futile"
Jimmy (draybar)

Like i said i wanted to ask some dumb questions. I have not seen any of my snakes tails turn black and fall off, but i have only kept corns for two years.lol. But i have been keeping kings and boas for a little longer. Sorry if i offened anyone, this was not my intention. My only concern was for the snake to get proper care.
Thanks,
Chuck

>>Like i said i wanted to ask some dumb questions. I have not seen any of my snakes tails turn black and fall off, but i have only kept corns for two years.lol. But i have been keeping kings and boas for a little longer. Sorry if i offened anyone, this was not my intention. My only concern was for the snake to get proper care.
>>Thanks,
>>Chuck
>>

Hey how do you learn if you don't ask?
Sometimes the little bit of skin may not be noticeable especially in hatchlings. When the tail is that small it can be hard to see 1/32 of an inch of skin. After several sheds this can get up to a 1/16 or an 1/8 of an inch and then it becomes more noticeable. By then, though, that little bit of tail may already be dead. But, the main thing is to check the snakes right after they shed. If there seems to be a recurring problem then something in the husbandry might need to be changed.
A larger water bowl can help raise the humidity. If using a screen top covering about half of it can also help keep the humidity a little higher and the two combined is even better...lol
-----
Corn snakes and rat snakes..No one can have just one.
"resistance is futile"
Jimmy (draybar)

THANKS FOR YOUR HELP! THIS IS NOT MY ONLY SNAKE BUT THIS IS THE FIRST SNAKE THIS HAS HAPPEND TO. HUMIDITY HAS GOT TO BE THE SAME FOR BOTH SNAKE SINCE IT IS THE SAME SETUP IN BOTH TANKS IN THE SAME ROOM. MAYBE HAS TO DO WITH GENETICS??? LIKE I SAID THE FATHER ALSO HAD THIS PROBLEM AND NOW IS MISSING PART OF HIS TAIL. I'LL INSPECT THE HUMIDITY A LITTLE MORE AND HOPE IT FALLS OFF> JUST WANTED TO MAKE SURE THIS WONT LEAD TO ANYTHING MORE SERIOUS.

It could just be that the snake has some problems with shedding. I've got ten snakes and over 30 geckos all in the same room and the humidity is kept high (60-70%) for the day geckos. All of my snakes have perfect sheds with the exception of one. I don't know what his problem is, but I soak him and mist the tank thoroughly for the entire week around his shedding period and still I usually end up putting him in a wet box with a bunch of wet towels and/or handling him with a wet towel to get his residual shed off. I have one leopard gecko that is the same way. I think some animals are just prone to having problems and will take some extra care. It is all part of getting to know your animals.

You didn't hurt my feelings at all, so don't even think about it again. That type of questioning, especially when someone isn't as clear as they might have been (as I apparently wasn't) is not only fine here, but beneficial as well.

Thanks for backing me up, Jimmy! That snake is REALLY putting on the color isn't it??? Thanks for the updated pic. Any breeding plans for the spring???
-----
Darin Chappell
Hillbilly Herps
PO Box 254
Rogersville, MO 65742

>>Hey Darin,
He won't be ready to breed until the following spring.
(2006)
Still a little too small, although he probably wouldn't realize it. I don't like to rush them.
The newer pic really doesn't do him justice.
Not only is he a beauty but he is a great feeder, never has problem sheds, is as calm as they come and he is active!
Can't get any better then that.
Definitely one of my favorites.
He IS my wife's favorite...lol
Jimmy
-----
Corn snakes and rat snakes..No one can have just one.
"resistance is futile"
Jimmy (draybar)