Tail tip not shedding - falling off!

[stevepoppers]

This is about the racer again. They've got those really skinny tails. And the tip of his isn't getting shed. A few times now. It's so small and fragile, I can't imagine pulling the skin there off. He just shed and I was looking and the tip is bloody just above the unshed skin and everything beyond that bends like it's not part of his body anymore. It's only a few milimeters, but this can't be good, right?

I know, remedy #1 is probably to increase the humidity. I thought it would be good for this shed, but apparently not. I'll make sure it's even higher next time. Aside from this, his sheds are perfect.

He's currently sitting on a wet paper towel in a small tub with a bit of neosporin on the tip of his tail.

So, ideas? This normal?

[mpkeelee]

when the shed sticks and the snake grows the old shed can cuz-off circulation and cause the tip of the tail to fall off if it stays on too long. try soaking in warm water and then gently peeling it off with ur hands. if it stays on it could lose part of its tail

[stevepoppers]

Well, I tried that and it came off. He didn't flinch or anything, and if you've ever dealt with a racer, you know that means he [I]really[I] doesn't mind. I feel a lot better about it this way. Again, it's just about 3mm of the very tip. He's always had this shedding problem, actually. I've an adults with a pretty stubby tails. I wonder if this is fairly common. Anyway, I'm just letting it scab over and heal. Should be fine.

[mpkeelee]

i have never dealt with racers, my only experience is with BP's and some snakes my older brother had when i was younger. i was told about this problem when i first got into BP's and i imagine it is a concern for all snakes since they all shed. im glad you got it off, hopefully it doesnt happen anymore, but if it does you know what to do. he'll be fine, just check it every couple days and make sure its healing up nicely.