A couple questions! Would love the help and feedback!

[HoneyCombTina]

So I just read somewhere that if your snake has bad smelling poos, then it could be a sign of an intestinal problem. Is it true? Because my snake has had some pretty unpleasant smelling poos. I was just wondering if it was normal, which is usually the case with all living creatures, or if there was something I should be concerned about.

Second question, I read another girl's post in the forum and she said she was having some issues using Reptibark as a substrate for her ball python. Does anyone have any feedback that is using or has used Reptibark as well? I'm using it now, and it seems to be working fine, other than one time she got a little piece stuck in her mouth and I gently took it out for her.

Thank you!

[ptate]

To answer your first question, I would be more concerned with the consistency of the stool. Firm or loose? A watery or loose stool will usually have a foul odor and could be caused by parasites which would need to be treated by a vet.
Second question, I have used reptibark in the past without incident but feedings will need to be monitered closely to make sure bedding is not ingested.

[hunter94]

Yea, I don't think its the smell you have to worry about but more the constancy of the poop then anything. I personally have never used Repti-Bark. I use aspen and its 99.9% dust free which I like and Repti-Bark from what I hear has lots of dust but I don't think Repti-Bark causes any health problems to a Ball Python. To be honest I would use Aspen if I were you, I guarantee you will like it.

I hope I helped.

[boogerbob]

To help with the second question: Yes repti-bark does have a lot of dust in it, so if you can find some aspen I'd use it. The first one I can't really answer, because I've only seen two stool samples from my bp and they've both been firm and not really smelly. lol sorry

[A.VinczeBPs]

BP poop can get quite smelly, especially if your housing provides good conditions (heat, and humidity)...makes wonderful smells. Consistency is what you need to watch, if it's like water for more than one passing, then you should be concerned.

Reptibark is high in dust I find, and if your ball python had trouble eating (had to remove bark from mouth) at all, even if it's not a lot, then I'd consider switching. Aspen works well.

Hope this helps.

[seeya205]

I was going to say the same thing. If you only get one watery poo then don't worry but if you get several them it is time to get it checked out. Also bp poo is stinky just like ours!

[kgfernan]

i recently switched from reptibark to newspaper because my ball python kept getting wood splinters on the top of his nose and rubbing his face almost raw trying to get them out. smelly poop is normal for a bp! (just one of the pleasures of owning any animal right?)

[mpkeelee]

my normal doesnt really smell, but my pastel is nasty. he stinks up the whole place. they have always been solid but can be a lil watery when everything comes out at once

[ballpythonluvr]

I used to use reptibark but I was finding splinters on my snake's belly. I just newspaper now. BP poop can be quite smelly.

[HoneyCombTina]

Thank you all, all your answers were very helpful!

And I think that I will switch over to aspen, I have noticed her burrowing around and making
little tunnels underneath her hides so I wouldn't want her getting any splinters or anything.

Thanks again