Hard Tail?

[Mark Collyns]

Hi all,

We're hoping someone here might have an idea as to what the problem - if any - there is with my sons ribbon snake. The end of the tail has got hard, almost twig looking.

anyone have any ideas?

[drache]

is there perhaps some retained shed?

[guidofatherof5]

I'm with Rhea. Sounds like a retained shed. If so, the blood circulation in that part of the tail has been cut off due to the retained old shed. It happens. Usually the dead section of tail will drop off. I call them stubby tails.
Retained shed on a small section of the tail is not life threatening but a full retained shed can cause death if not caught in time.
How much of the tail? Can you post a picture?
Best of luck with this problem.