Black tail tips are often present on some GTP types, however if this is a relatively recent change, then it could be the result of retained skin cutting off blood supply causing the tail tip to die and discolour.
Can you post a close-up pic of the tail tip?
Do you always check sloughed skins to make sure that the tail tip is shed, as this is a good practice?
Good question, I've only noticed it the dark tip looking like that recently. Before the very tip of the tail is usually always nice and straight, but that little tip is a bit strange.
I just realised there's a huge kink up in the top left hand corner, that's just it laying awkwardly, that's not usually there at all.. when I handle it, its nice and straight
Strange indeed. It's a distinct possibility that its a kink. They are prone to spinal kinks usually caused by ruff handling as a neonate, although it can happen at any time. If it is a kink its not going to effect the snake in a negative way.
OK, it could be a new kink then. Does the kink stay like that while the snake moves around and coils up?It's always had the black tip, just never noticed it to be kinked like that. It actually shed recently (2 days ago) and I checked all of it and it looked to be intact all the way through. I'll grab some photos asap
OK, it could be a new kink then. Does the kink stay like that while the snake moves around and coils up?
When I look at the larger image the colour doesn't look quite right to me, but it's hard to tell from the pic, so a close-up would be good.
The retained shed idea is a def. possibility, but l believe it to be a herniation due to slow peristalsis....solar 17 (Baden)
Thanks for providing that close-up photo, as it makes a big difference in giving you a more definitive answer.
That looks like the tail tip is compromised to me. There appears to be some swelling and discoloration to me. Notice the skin between the scales suggesting some swelling from a tourniquet effect from retained skin. There is also a greyish colour to the normally black tail pigment.
Perhaps not coincidentally, the kink is located roughly at the point where these changes occur.
Thanks for giving me a better understanding on what's going on. I wanted to have a close look but by the time I got home last night it was looking for a feed and I wasn't going anywhere near it. I'll leave work early today and have a closer look. I feel horrible, like I let the snake down. I checked everything else but the tip of the tail. I was always careful when I handled it. Read through Greg Maxwells book like it was my bible.
Will this effect it at all? Other than running my fingers gently over the tip of the tail is there anything else I can do?
I think there would be a good chance of it going strait again if stuck shed isn't imbedded to far, and hasn't cut off the blood flow. To get it off I would give the snake a nice long soak, then try to rub the shed off with a wet q-tip. If the shed is imbedded I wouldn't know what to do as I have not had to deal with that.
Is slow peristalsis constipation? If this is correct how does that effect the tail below the cloaca? I am not doubting you more interested in the how.
Definition of peristalsis: the involuntary constriction and relaxation of the muscles of the intestine or another canal, creating wave-like movements which push the contents of the canal forward.
This snake would have to have a cloaca at the tip of its tail.
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