Usually if the tip is clean, it was a stuck shed.

My milk snake had bone showing when I first captured him, it healed up, but the tip of his tail is ugly. about 1/3 inch looks like it was once in a bear trap, That I think looks more like frostbite, winter was harsh here.

He eats well, has shed and seems fine.

It's just too bad that as they age, that pretty color turns brown.

This guy is named "Carmello" Like the carmel candy with white in the middle.