BP Tail- hard and rough?

[Aubrey.Skye]

I've had my BP for about 4-5 months now. She has shed and eaten regularly; I have also been monitoring her droppings so I know she is healthy. However, recently, I have started to notice a brown, rough texture to her tail tip. She is due to shed soon, so I thought maybe it was because of that. Does anyone have any ideas as to what this is? She is my first snake and I want to make sure i am providing her with the best life possible.

[Craiga 01453]

Are you 100% certain the tail tip was fully shed last time?

The major spots to check with each shed are tail tip, vent (cloaca) and eyecaps.

If the tail tip didn't shed out last time it's extremely important to make sure it sheds fully this time around.

[Bogertophis]

As Craig said...and it's also possible that this is more than just one missed shed on her tail tip, and in that case, you could end up with the actual tail tip coming
off like a scab, leaving exposed skin (that could use some antibiotic attention). This is how tail tips are lost in snakes...retained sheds constrict the blood flow in
the tail tip (which is already poor), & then the tissue dies. This is why we "nag" everyone to check eyes & tail tips after every shed, to make sure that everything
came off that should have. Tail tips do not grow back. And if this IS just shed skin that hasn't yet permanently damaged the actual tail tip, do be gentle when helping the old shed skin off...it might be "borderline" and the tail tip can be saved.

[Mirakuru]

I had this happen. I held a warm washcloth around the tip of his tail for a bit and gently rubbed it off. Looked like this after---


I put some ointment on it and it's healing well now. I felt so so bad but we have to realize that mistakes happen, and it's good to take care of now that you know what it might be!

[Aubrey.Skye]

Thanks, I put a warm cloth around it and the shed came off. I'll have to be super careful in the future about it, I didn't it until now because her tail is black.

[Mirakuru]

Oh I'm so glad you got it resolved! I bet it's a huge relief for both you and your snake.

[Bogertophis]

Oh I'm so glad you got it resolved! I bet it's a huge relief for both you and your snake.

Me too!

[colin-java]

Are you 100% certain the tail tip was fully shed last time?

The major spots to check with each shed are tail tip, vent (cloaca) and eyecaps.

If the tail tip didn't shed out last time it's extremely important to make sure it sheds fully this time around.

I always check nostrils as well, I think that's very important, there should be two inverted little tubes on the skin from the head after shedding.

[Bogertophis]

I always check nostrils as well, I think that's very important, there should be two inverted little tubes on the skin from the head after shedding.

Yes, when the skin is retained in the nostrils, it can make people think the noisy breathing means their snake has an RI, & then waste money & time rushing him to the vet, & causing stress to the snake as well as their budget. Good point!

[Craiga 01453]

I always check nostrils as well, I think that's very important, there should be two inverted little tubes on the skin from the head after shedding.

Agreed. To the best of my knowledge a little stuck she'd in the nostril won't cause any health issues, but still a good idea to check them out.
The other three areas I mentioned can all cause serious health issues, so they tend to be the areas I focus on.

I always give a thorough check though. Thanks for adding that info!!