snake likes to poope outside
About a month ago I got a ball python and I'm absolutely in love. The little guy is healthy and happy, and eats like a champ. The only problem is when it comes to getting out what went in. He doesn't poop in his vivarium. Instead whenever I take him out, after about 10-15 minutes he usually decides to let go of his last meal. I would be perfectly fine with this (I'm willing to clean it up), if the urine didn't leave a strong smell behind that seems impossible to clean up. I tried things from soap and water to vinegar, but nothing really works. A few warhammer miniatures have fallen victim to this mess as well. Any idea as of how to clean it up, and more importantly how to get him to empty his guts in the enclosure?
Re: snake likes to poope outside
Glad to hear you are enjoying your new pet :)
Questions: How old is your ball python? How much does he weigh? How often does he eat and what are you feeding him?
How long do you handle him for? Does he go back into his cage after pooping?
As far as cleaning is concerned I would think anything sold to eliminate odors for dogs should work. I'm wondering if he is pooping due to anxiety from being handled? I've only had this happen once and at the time I was working on removing a stuck shed which required me to be more controlling over my boy Axel which eventually led to him emptying his bowels I assume due to the stress.
Do you wait at least 3 days after feeding before handling?
Kind of an extreme suggestion but I have experienced several of my ball pythons moving their bowels while being soaked. You could try soaking him/giving him a warm bath for a while before handling him? Might help contain the mess.
Re: snake likes to poope outside
My snakes like to go on you every now and then, I found if I wait 3 days after feeding I usually don't have that issue
And I also went to my local thrift store and bought a couple blankets, sheets ect, I use those when I holding the snakes or letting them move around
If they get soiled I either wash them or hose them off or just toss them when they get gross and get a couple more.
I found after they get a year or so old, I rarely have that issue anymore.
Re: snake likes to poope outside
This particular incident was I think about 4 days after feeding him. He is about 3-4 months old I'm guessing. I didn't check his weight yet (although I probably should). I feed him a smaller sized hopper once every week. He seems to have a very calm demeanor and eats like a champ so I don't know if it would be stress. Then again I have next to 0 experience. Last time I handled him for 30 minutes. Sometimes it is as little as 15 minutes, sometimes it goes up to an hour. Besides getting a little spooked when I touch his tail and he doesn't see me (which I usually do after he poops so he doesn't smear it all over the place) he doesn't show many, if an signs of stress (that I noticed).