Vets have helped explain the mysterious appearance of an tiger snake discovered by a reptile rescue charity in northeast Tasmania on Saturday, January 31. The normally smooth reptile was covered in a series of lumps down the length of its body as a result of a rare, genetic condition called Charcot’s disease.

The 23 inch female Tasmanian tiger snake had 28 marble-sized lumps along its back and is believed to be only the 16th snake in the world to be diagnosed with the condition, according to reports. Credit: Facebook/Reptile Rescue Tasmania