black-tipped tail

i just acquired a sub-adult GTP from a local collector who was downsizing (ostensibly it's a sorong x jayapura outcross and favors the typical sorong green, but for all i know it could be from australia). i am sufficiently acquainted with husbandry issues and proper care for GTPs in general, but i still don't know much of anything about their morphology...which leads me to my question. is a small black tip at the end of the tail, behind the vent, indicative of any sort of malady or disease? he/she is virtually uniformly green, with a light, faded blue diamond dorsal pattern, so the dark tip of the tail really stands out. nor do there seem to be any outward problems--did not object when i had to remove him from the cage to clean it and then took a small rat immediately after. it honestly looks like part of a pattern from younger days that never faded (sort of like a pointillism version of the "mite phase" GTPs).

anyway, i'm sure it's nothing, i just figured i'd ask someone with a little more experience. i'm going to try to include a picture here, but i'm still learning how to get around on this site.

thanks.

http://ball-pythons.net/gallery/file.../la_foto-3.jpg

http://ball-pythons.net/gallery/file...to-2_thumb.jpg http://ball-pythons.net/gallery/file.../la_foto-2.jpg[/URL]

http://ball-pythons.net/gallery/file.../la_foto-5.jpg

Perfectly normal. Look up 'caudal luring". They will use the tip of their tail to mimic a worm wiggling around in order to lure birds and other prey near them. It's pretty cool to watch. :D

That kind of random black marking is known as a paradox among common boas and ball pythons.

Generally it's not genetically reproducible, which makes them extremely rare.

EDIT: Or it's a perfectly common trait among GTPs :P

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Originally Posted by KCB Constrictors

Generally it's not genetically reproducible, which makes them extremely rare.

EDIT: Or it's a perfectly common trait among GTPs :P

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hehe. Actually, I think it would be pretty rare if they didn't have it. ;)

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Originally Posted by xdeus

Perfectly normal. Look up 'caudal luring". They will use the tip of their tail to mimic a worm wiggling around in order to lure birds and other prey near them. It's pretty cool to watch. :D

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much appreciated. exactly what i needed to know.

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Originally Posted by wwmjkd

much appreciated. exactly what i needed to know.

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You're welcome, but it looks like I have to correct my previous comment about how common it is. Apparently the pigmented tail is indicative of the Sorong locale (lowland chondros), and other locales do not have a pigmented tail. Personally, I think it is pretty cool especially when you see it in use.

That tail tip is coming from the sarong side of your animal...if in fact it was crossed with a jaya, which normally have powder blue tipped tails. It's perfectly normal.

thanks to everyone who responded so quickly.

one last question for experienced keepers of GTPs: do you think he/she looks underweight at all? like i mentioned, acting healthy. there are no physical problems like tail kinks or parasites, nor are there any behavioral problems like aggression or lethargy. i'm just curious because the former owner who bought him as a neonate placed his 'birthday' in march of 2007. since i don't really have a standard of comparison i could be way off, but i think he looks far too small to be four years old. i know males are smaller in general (if he is a male), but does anyone think he looks undersized for a GTP of the same age?

thanks again.

It's hard to say from looking at the pics. I would say he looks pretty good for his age. I've had 6-8 year old males that weigh in the range of 1000 grams and and some 6-8 year old males that weight 300-350. It all depends on the genetics and how well it was fed during the first two years of growth....the most important. As long as he is eating and healthy I wouldn't worry. In my opinion he looks great. Enjoy!

Brandon Osborne

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Originally Posted by Brandon Osborne

It's hard to say from looking at the pics. I would say he looks pretty good for his age. I've had 6-8 year old males that weigh in the range of 1000 grams and and some 6-8 year old males that weight 300-350. It all depends on the genetics and how well it was fed during the first two years of growth....the most important. As long as he is eating and healthy I wouldn't worry. In my opinion he looks great. Enjoy!

Brandon Osborne

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thanks again. several worries were allayed today.