Baby ball python pooping schedule?

[KareemDaDream]

Hi everyone, ultimate newbie here!

My question might seem odd or stupid but I was wondering how long it takes on average for a snake to digest and poop out a mice after it's eaten? I am asking to make sure I am not doing anything wrong or that could stress the snake out, since after 3 days I still can't find anything in her tank.

Back story:

After years of obsessing over them, I finally decided to get my first pet snake! She is a baby ball python (normal/wild type), about 15 inches long and I haven't weighed her yet since the scale I ordered online is still not here...
Before buying her I did the whole checking for blood mites and for mucus around the nose thing, even handled her a little, and despite being a little skittish she was all good. Now I have her in a 20 gallon terrarium with a temp gradient (originally planned on getting an older and bigger snake but kinda fell in love with her). I have a heat mat on one side hooked to a thermostat set at 90F, a hygrometer to make sure the terrarium stays above 50% humidity and a thermometer to make sure the ambient temp stay around 80F. I also have a Zoo med 60W Nightlight red heat lamp that I turn on at night.
I left her alone for 72 hours after getting her home to make sure she would get used to her new habitat, and thought she did. She hides all day in either the warm side or the cold side depending on her mood, then comes out at night to explore. I handled her once on the forth day but she was still kinda tense, she'd explore around, going up my arm but stop as soon as I moved and go into a defensive positon.
On the next day, I decided to try to feed her and she took the F/T mouse no issues. She's been spending her days in her hide on the warm side ever since and it's been three days. Every other day I open her tank to change the water and use that opportunity to spot clean ( which is hard as hell on cypress mulch substrate) but I still can't find anything, yesterday she even hissed at me while I was doing that, something she didn't do the previous times.

Any suggestions on anything I should change/ do better?

Also here is a picture of baby Hebi ( that's her name)

[pbenner]

Sounds like you're well on your way to a happy healthy snake. Monitor and don't interact unless you need to for a few more weeks. Mine poop generally 5-6 days after eating (they're about the same size) and it's less than a dime sized amount. Really hard to see against substrate sometimes. I find it by smell when I pull out their tub.

Paul

[Stewart_Reptiles]

There is NO schedule they are efficient and go as needed when fed appropriately, depends on the snake metabolism and food intake, they all eventually go that is the only thing that is for certain and so long there is not obvious persistent bulge there is nothing to worry about

[KareemDaDream]

Sounds like you're well on your way to a happy healthy snake. Monitor and don't interact unless you need to for a few more weeks. Mine poop generally 5-6 days after eating (they're about the same size) and it's less than a dime sized amount. Really hard to see against substrate sometimes. I find it by smell when I pull out their tub.

Paul

Thanks I'll just monitor for now. By not interacting do you mean I shouldn't handle her? Is it too early?

[Ronniex2]

they can take a while to doeither - digest their food .. and poop. sometimes they choose to do it when inshed .. i find it either before or after their sheds usually but when on a goodfeeding regiment they will be more predictable .. but as mentioned .. there isno "once a week" answer .. it all depends on your animal and husbandryobviously but you’ll get poop soon I can guarantee it lmfao!

[KareemDaDream]

There is NO schedule they are efficient and go as needed when fed appropriately, depends on the snake metabolism and food intake, they all eventually go that is the only thing that is for certain and so long there is not obvious persistent bulge there is nothing to worry about

Thanks for the infos! Reassuring to know there's nothing to worry about for the moment.

[KareemDaDream]

they can take a while to doeither - digest their food .. and poop. sometimes they choose to do it when inshed .. i find it either before or after their sheds usually but when on a goodfeeding regiment they will be more predictable .. but as mentioned .. there isno "once a week" answer .. it all depends on your animal and husbandryobviously but you’ll get poop soon I can guarantee it lmfao!

Lool good to know. Heard snake poop stinks to high heaven sk I'm preparing myself for that.

[pbenner]

Thanks I'll just monitor for now. By not interacting do you mean I shouldn't handle her? Is it too early?

Most folks recommend that you not handle for the first 2-3 weeks after arrival. Personally, If mine is not hiding and is hunting, I feed them. If they eat, digest, and have no problems, I take them out 2-3 days later and inspect them for a few minutes (Nose, Mouth, Vent, and Body shape) for any issues and let them go back. I don't start handling in earnest until they've had 2-3 meals no problems and have been in their homes for at least 2 weeks.

Paul

[Mc.mischievous7]

Hi everyone, ultimate newbie here!

My question might seem odd or stupid but I was wondering how long it takes on average for a snake to digest and poop out a mice after it's eaten? I am asking to make sure I am not doing anything wrong or that could stress the snake out, since after 3 days I still can't find anything in her tank.

Back story:

After years of obsessing over them, I finally decided to get my first pet snake! She is a baby ball python (normal/wild type), about 15 inches long and I haven't weighed her yet since the scale I ordered online is still not here...
Before buying her I did the whole checking for blood mites and for mucus around the nose thing, even handled her a little, and despite being a little skittish she was all good. Now I have her in a 20 gallon terrarium with a temp gradient (originally planned on getting an older and bigger snake but kinda fell in love with her). I have a heat mat on one side hooked to a thermostat set at 90F, a hygrometer to make sure the terrarium stays above 50% humidity and a thermometer to make sure the ambient temp stay around 80F. I also have a Zoo med 60W Nightlight red heat lamp that I turn on at night.
I left her alone for 72 hours after getting her home to make sure she would get used to her new habitat, and thought she did. She hides all day in either the warm side or the cold side depending on her mood, then comes out at night to explore. I handled her once on the forth day but she was still kinda tense, she'd explore around, going up my arm but stop as soon as I moved and go into a defensive positon.
On the next day, I decided to try to feed her and she took the F/T mouse no issues. She's been spending her days in her hide on the warm side ever since and it's been three days. Every other day I open her tank to change the water and use that opportunity to spot clean ( which is hard as hell on cypress mulch substrate) but I still can't find anything, yesterday she even hissed at me while I was doing that, something she didn't do the previous times.

Any suggestions on anything I should change/ do better?

Also here is a picture of baby Hebi ( that's her name)

I'm glad you ask this question. I am a newbie also and was wondering the same thing. Lol. My BP had his first meal with me last Sunday and havent poop it out yet. Lol.

Sent from my SM-N950U using Tapatalk

[KareemDaDream]

I'm glad you ask this question. I am a newbie also and was wondering the same thing. Lol. My BP had his first meal with me last Sunday and havent poop it out yet. Lol.

Sent from my SM-N950U using Tapatalk

Lool sounds exactly like what I am dealing with, same day and all. Glad I could be of help, even indirectly.

- - - Updated - - -

Most folks recommend that you not handle for the first 2-3 weeks after arrival. Personally, If mine is not hiding and is hunting, I feed them. If they eat, digest, and have no problems, I take them out 2-3 days later and inspect them for a few minutes (Nose, Mouth, Vent, and Body shape) for any issues and let them go back. I don't start handling in earnest until they've had 2-3 meals no problems and have been in their homes for at least 2 weeks.

Paul

Thanks for the help! Much appreciated.