ball python hasnt poopedin 3 weeks...

[RaeaTheGreat]

hello everyone.

My ball python (only about2.5 ft long) hasnt pooped in about 3 weeks....I know it's common for BP's to have a few back up problems every so often, but is it ok that its taken this long? I've fed 2 mice since the last time (s)he pooped only because there was a tiny amount of fecal matter in the tank and I didn't want him/her to go too long without food, especially being so small. I have a mouse defrosting right now for him/her because (s)he seems to be losing weight (I dont have a scale yet but I know how to notice a weight difference)...should I feed it to him/her or wait a little longer? It hasn't really been THAT long but I dont want to harm him/her....advice please?

[Jeo123]

Yeah, they can sometimes go a while without "going" and it's usually nothing to worry about.

If you're really worried, soaking in a warm bath seems to be the best way of getting them to go

[RaeaTheGreat]

well, he/she just got over a not so happy shed, which is weird bc usually his/her sheds go over really well, full sheds most of the time, so (s)he got soaks twice during that.

Thanks =)

[ballpythonluvr]

How old is your snake? It is quite normal for a snake not to poop regularly. You say your snake is losing weight. How often are you feeding this snake two mice? It may be time to bump up the prey size since you are feeding two mice. I have a snake that is a bit on the small side for it's age and I am now going to feed it more then one mouse at a feeding. This snake weighs 285 grams and is very slowly gaining weight for me. I would not be to concerned about the not pooping often.

[coldbloodaddict]

A little more info would be helpful…What size are the mice, how often are you feeding, how much does your snake weigh?

Most likely you are just underfeeding your snake and he has nothing to waste…

[RaeaTheGreat]

I'm actually not too sure about the age, I bought him/her from an expo, the breeder didnt really give me too much info

I feed adult mice, usually 1 a week, I just recently ran out of adult mice and have to get to a petstore for some more, I have alot of hoppers so last feeding (s)he got 2 of those within a week and a half. should I maybe start feeding 2 mice a week? maybe even go to small rats?

[loonunit]

Totally normal. But if you're worried, give the snake a bath. (When we say "warm", we really mean just a touch above room temp. Hot water is obviously dangerous, but I find theystill flip out if I drop them in water I'd call "just warm.")

[RaeaTheGreat]

to make typing easier im just gonna say she.
shes in the feeding bin/box right now with a rather large hopper, but is refusing to eat it....she took the head into her mouth once but then dropped it...i've wiggled it around a few times, it catches her attention but then she just ignores it...should I leave her in there for a little bit or should I just give up and try again in a few days? This is weird because shes really been acting hungry the past few days (being really active, poking her head at the top of the tank, etc.)

[Vypyrz]

Pooping every 3 weeks is about average for some snakes. Just make sure you are feeding enough. The prey should be about as big as the snake at it's thickest part. Or, if you have a scale, 10%-15% of the snakes body weight. If you are feeding multiple preys then weigh them together so that their combined weight = 10-15%...

[wax32]

A large hopper mouse is perfect for a just out of the egg hatchling... sounds like you are talking about a small adult bp. She should be eating small rats. Prey of too small of a size sometimes won't get them interested. Maybe its time to move her up!