Defecation

My new bp is eating very well but he is not defecating a lot. The first week he had a large BM and two small ones. Then the second week he had three small ones. The third week, he had one large BM and one small. This last week he has only had one small BM. He is due for feeding tomorrow and I'm not sure if I should feed again or wait until he defecates again. Any suggestions? (He is currently 440g and is eating f/t small rats once a week, I was going to move up to med rats in two weeks)

That sounds like quite a lot of poop. My BPs rarely go more than once in a week. Also sounds like it could be quite a lot of food to be going that much.

Ive read that ball pythons will retain there poo and use it as a counter weight for when they strike

You may want to consider reevaluating his diet.

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Originally Posted by M.P.C

Ive read that ball pythons will retain there poo and use it as a counter weight for when they strike

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WHAT?!? How can a 20 gram turd counter balance a striking snake? Google

Certainly don't wait until he goes - they all go at their own rates. Just keep feeding him on the schedule you have set up and let him do his own thing. :)

As far as rat size is concerned, keep him on small rats for quite a bit longer. If you are confident that he's a male, then he could stay on a small rat weekly for his entire life (and even then he'll likely skip a few meals every now and again). Personally, I don't even start feeding my animals small rats until they're in the 500g range - which could be the reason that you're seeing a decent amount of poo right now.

Heres an article all about snake poop


http://snakesarelong.blogspot.com/20...llast.html?m=1

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Originally Posted by M.P.C

Heres an article all about snake poop


http://snakesarelong.blogspot.com/20...llast.html?m=1

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I thought you were joking with your first post.

Then I went to the blog/article with a very doubting mindset. It was a good, plausible case.

Thanks for the good information! :)

My pleasure

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Originally Posted by Eric Alan

Certainly don't wait until he goes - they all go at their own rates. Just keep feeding him on the schedule you have set up and let him do his own thing. :)

As far as rat size is concerned, keep him on small rats for quite a bit longer. If you are confident that he's a male, then he could stay on a small rat weekly for his entire life (and even then he'll likely skip a few meals every now and again). Personally, I don't even start feeding my animals small rats until they're in the 500g range - which could be the reason that you're seeing a decent amount of poo right now.

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The breeder I got him from was already feeding him small rats when I got him a month ago. The breeder is the one who told me that he's male. He is 440g right now. He started his shed last night so I'll feed him again when he is done. Thanks so much for your advice!