broken tail bones???

[Snake lover 3-25]

So meadow, my big girl has some kind of bony thing under her skin about 1/2 an inch below the cloaca on the right side (when the tail is facing you) it kind of feels like broken ribs but idk what the bone structure of a snakes tail looks like......... idk.... but it seems like it is healed.... although i don't remember ever noticing it..... it doesn't hurt her to touch it..... it's just there.....:confused: pics coming.......

[Snake lover 3-25]

http://i385.photobucket.com/albums/oo296/shanley25/IMG_7012.jpg

http://i385.photobucket.com/albums/oo296/shanley25/IMG_7025.jpg

[Snake lover 3-25]

idk.... it's wierd..... it looks like a bump but it feels like bones..... def. hard and rigid..... not smooth like the rest.......

[adamanteus]

There does appear to be a very slight swollen area there..... but to be honest I doubt it would ever be a problem to her... especially as she registers no distress when the area is touched. I wouldn't worry too much, Shanley.

[Snake lover 3-25]

ok good..... because it really isn't squishy or anything..... prob just an old injury that healed wrong...... and it's below any organs anyway..... so i really don't think it'll ever bother her.....???????

[adamanteus]

My thoughts exactly, Shanley. If she were a male, it might be different, but I think it'll be fine. Obviously keep a closer eye on her for a while..... just to be sure.

[Snake lover 3-25]

yup:D i actually have been..... it's been a while since i noticed it but i really wasn't worried because of the above reasons lol the ribon thread just reminded me of it lol and it hasn't changed at all so i think it's fine......

[adamanteus]

That's great. Good that you shared it with us all though, Shanley. You never know if someone else has seen a similar thing and can offer some useful advice.

[Zephyr]

I've seen broken tail bones.
One of my 07 males has the last 1/2 inch of his tail "mangled" from something. It feels rigid, as if it could snap off.

[adamanteus]

Does it give him any problems, Kyle?

[Zephyr]

Does it give him any problems, Kyle?None at all. It's not close to the hemipenes, either, so I don't worry about his fertility. Heck, he probably sired my hybrids.
He never has shed problems either.

[Snake lover 3-25]

http://www.worldbook.com/wb/images/content_spotlight/reptiles/internalorgans.gif

yeah..... it just looks like the 3rd and 4th (ish) bones after the cloca have broken and healed tilted upwards.......

[Snake lover 3-25]

ok thanks kyle :D that's really good to know..... have any pics???

[adamanteus]

That's an excellent diagram, Shanley... we should save it somewhere easily accessible.

[Snake lover 3-25]

lol i love google:D i have one kind of similar in a book it's 3D:D but it doesn't show the tail:(

[aSnakeLovinBabe]

looks like your garter has "hips"? maybe? lol

I am referring to when older female snakes get that bulgy look back there.

[drache]

yeah
my adult females have "hips"
so they get those, even if they're not overweight?
I'd just assumed I'd let my inner jewish mom run amok again
and that bump looks a lot like those hips - but if that's what it was it'd be on both sides and not hard
great anatomical rendering too - I've not seen many this detailed

[guidofatherof5]

Could be scar tissue from an old injury. Possible cyst. Keep an eye on it for growth, leakage or tenderness. You could always find a good Herp. Vet in your area and get a check-up. I think it's probably nothing. Think about all the things we have on us that are just part of our lives and will never give us problems. As stated, it's in an area that would lead to less concern. Nice to see you're so observant with your friend. Good job.

[infernalis]

I have noticed a similar bulging on a couple of my female DK snakes, Looks exactly the same.

I figured it to be a "girl thing".