Couple of Care Questions

[phoenix-dancing]

I have had Nagaina for 4 weeks. She eats great and seems comfortable. I have fed her about every 10 days (one pinkie) -- she is about 5 months old. She has only had one small calcium poop - this past weekend. Should I be worried? I am soaking her for about 15 mins each day for the past 3 days. Silly question - but do they poop after each meal or do they sometimes take a while. What is the digestive cycle like for snakes - timewise?

Also she has a strange spot on her back -- kind of looks like a scab that is healing -- it is a little rough and dark. She has had it since I got her but I thought it was just left over shed. I think it is shrinking so guessing it is a hurt place that is just healing. She is not sensitive to touching it -- she does not act any different then if I touch her somewhere else on her back so I do not think it hurts.

I tried to load a picture but could not figure out how so put one in the members gallery -- you can find it under nagaina -- she is on my hand and it is up close.

Appreciate any feedback on this. I did notice one other place one her side where 3 scales have what looks like old shed but then it kind of looks like the color of her scale not sure so just wondering if may be she had an accident before I got her. She seems very healthy! Waiting on the poop to drop off at the vet just to ensure she is healthy. He did see her and I forgot to show him the two places -- he looked her over so thinking it is fine and I am just paranoid after reading "What is wrong with my snake".

[Jeanne]

First, I would say, at 5 months, she should be eating a bigger meal than what you are feeding, unless they are big rat pinkies. To judge the size of the meal thats appropriate, look for the thickest part of your snakes body and keep in mind you can feed prey thats 1.5 times the girth at the thickest part. If her meals have been rather small, she wont be going to the bathroom as much cause she is digesting what you feed rather than have much waste.

Sorry, from the pics I cant really tell the type of injury you are referring to, however, what you describe reminds me of a bite mark thats healing potentially. What was she eating before you got her?

[phoenix-dancing]

I am not sure. I am feeding what the pet store told me to when I bought her -- so I may not be referring to the correct name (that is very likely). They are small white mice -- they do have fur so would that be a pinkie? I am not good at sizes but she is about 23 inches long and the mouse is probably about 2.5 inches long not including the tail. I am trying to learn all the terms. The pet store told me to feed her one every 7 to 10 days. This pet store is creditable so I am thinking they gave me the right size but I may call.


I do feel that the wound is may be an old bite mark -- it seems like a scar would be healing on us. I just wanted to be sure! Honestly that book has made me paranoid too.

Still learning here -- and just want to ensure her comfort.

[Jeanne]

I am not sure. I am feeding what the pet store told me to when I bought her -- so I may not be referring to the correct name (that is very likely). They are small white mice -- they do have fur so would that be a pinkie? I am not good at sizes but she is about 23 inches long and the mouse is probably about 2.5 inches long not including the tail. I am trying to learn all the terms. The pet store told me to feed her one every 7 to 10 days. This pet store is creditable so I am thinking they gave me the right size but I may call.


I do feel that the wound is may be an old bite mark -- it seems like a scar would be healing on us. I just wanted to be sure! Honestly that book has made me paranoid too.

Still learning here -- and just want to ensure her comfort.

Here is a link to show you how to refer to the sizes available, though it is not the only one you will find, but it will give you good info. What you are feeding sounds like small young mice or young adults. Pinkies have no fur at all.
http://www.rodentpro.com/catalog.asp...el=frozen_mice

[phoenix-dancing]

They do have fur so it is not a pinkie -- I do think it is the right size mainly because it is what they told me to get for prekill. I do trust this store when it comes to general maintenance.


So knowing that - do you think I should be concerned with the poop? Or I guess it taking a while? What is their digestion cycle like - I cannot find information on this really.


I think they are either the hoppers or weanlings --- their face is more like the weanlings but not sure they are quite that big. May be just a little bit smaller but I think that is what they are. The face is not rounded like the hopper. Good size you think???

[Jeanne]

So knowing that - do you think I should be concerned with the poop? Or I guess it taking a while? What is their digestion cycle like - I cannot find information on this really.

I would not just yet, sometimes the save it up to make a HUGE present for you. As far as digestion, I really think it varies alot and is dependant on alot of factors.

[phoenix-dancing]

Thanks -- I just edited my post to tell you that I think the feed is the weanlings -- not sure but looking at the photos think that is what they are....may not be quite tht big.


I did tell her that she could give me my xmas present early and I would be even happier -- so hopefully she will! Kept a 16 year old guy for a bit and so I do know what I am in for on a small scale! But he did poop within 2 weeks so that is why I was starting to get concerned - he is all I have for comparison.

[Danielle(THM)]

Just sit back and wait for it, I got all nervous and worried when my snake didn't poo for the first two months I had her, then one day I found her giant cat sized present for me, and it's been almost weekly ever since. You just have to wait for it to completely relax and feel safe in it's environment before you get a #2.

[phoenix-dancing]

I must say that they do teach patience! She is great but since she is not vocal like my cats -- I am having to learn her reactions. She seems comfortable - she does actually come out and move around the cage from time to time. Also watches from her hide -- sticks her head out and just watches from time to time.

[ErikH]

Some snakes like to leave presents inside of their hide too. Mine doesn't, though. He tends to leave it on top of the hide!