The last snake shipped to me arrived with a kinked/bent tail. It sucks but I wouldn't dare clip it. In my case, the kink is right where the tail meets the body, over the vent. I can't even pop him for fear of hurting him. So far, it doesn't seem to be interfering with his basic bodily functions and I think cutting anything off of an otherwise healthy animal is just barbaric. I have no doubt it would be painful and I can't think of any real purpose for it. I'd rather have my kinked baby than a maimed one.