Leaving For Two Weeks

In about a week Ill be leaving for 2 and half weeks. I've read that when people go out of town they stop feeding a week before they leave so the snakes don't poop while they're gone. But that would mean my snakes wouldn't eat for 3 and a half weeks which sounds like a long time. I have 1 bp around 350 grams, 2 around 450-500 grams, and 1 in the 1500 gram range. I have someone to check on their water and temps, but no way they would feel comfortable feeding them. Any thoughts if I should stop feeding now?

Also, would there be a problem with putting larger water bowls in the tubs while I'm gone? Im thinking the size of a medium-larger cat bowl/smaller dog bowl.
Thanks

Would the person checking on them be willing to clean the cages if you fed them before you leave and they happen to poo?

don't feed 11/7days before feeding, so you could feed them now if you leave in 2 and a half weeks

Unfortunately probably not. They are actually afraid of snakes but are willing to change the water. Im trying to think of other options, but this is the best one so far.

SRMD94, I leave in 8 days

If they're all healthy, you don't need to worry about not feeding for 3 weeks. Also nothing wrong with larger water bowls, but they'll still need to be changed.

Sounds good. I will definitely still have him change the water.

Will they live? Yes. But I would tell your friend to be careful changing the water for a bunch of hungry snakes :P

It would be helpful if your friend knew how to clean out the enclosure. Laying off feeding doesn't mean the snake won't take an enormous poo the day after you leave. Buy some gloves or something. Teach your friend how to pick up the snake and transport it to a holding tub. If they are confident they should have no problems doing this. Ball pythons are so not scary!

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Originally Posted by hops523

SRMD94, I leave in 8 days

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oh my mistake I misread the post.

The concern about feeding right before leaving is not defecation, it's regurgitation.

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Originally Posted by Annarose15

The concern about feeding right before leaving is not defecation, it's regurgitation.

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Honestly, what is the difference? Worse case scenario the snake regurgitates and the friend comes and cleans the cage (hopefully). He will be gone for a while anyway so it's not like it will get fed in the 2 weeks following a regurgitation. If he feeds tomorrow then he should be in the clear.

Thank you to everyone. I will have him come over and show him how easy and not scary it is to clean the tubs. If not him, Im trying to get some back up plans but I think everything will work out. Once again thank you to everyone.

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Originally Posted by Kaorte

Honestly, what is the difference? Worse case scenario the snake regurgitates and the friend comes and cleans the cage (hopefully). He will be gone for a while anyway so it's not like it will get fed in the 2 weeks following a regurgitation. If he feeds tomorrow then he should be in the clear.

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I take it you've never dealt with a regurgitation. The stomach acid that comes back up with the food is strong enough to kill the snake, if left unattended to (which requires cleaning the snake if he comes in contact), and a regurged prey item is enormously more disgusting than a little poop, especially to a non-snake person.

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Originally Posted by Annarose15

I take it you've never dealt with a regurgitation. The stomach acid that comes back up with the food is strong enough to kill the snake, if left unattended to (which requires cleaning the snake if he comes in contact), and a regurged prey item is enormously more disgusting than a little poop, especially to a non-snake person.

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Don't assume. I've dealt with my fair share and I know the smell from a mile away. But all you can really do when you find one is clean the enclosure. That is what I am trying to say. Even if he was not on vacation, most of us are not watching our snakes 24/7 to clean it up immediately. He would notice the regurg as soon as he would notice it.

Either way, a snake is extremely unlikely to regurg after 7 days.

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Originally Posted by Kaorte

Don't assume. I've dealt with my fair share and I know the smell from a mile away. But all you can really do when you find one is clean the enclosure. That is what I am trying to say. Even if he was not on vacation, most of us are not watching our snakes 24/7 to clean it up immediately. He would notice the regurg as soon as he would notice it.

Either way, a snake is extremely unlikely to regurg after 7 days.

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You don't have to watch 24/7. If the friend isn't coming over daily, though... It's just a matter of what level of risk you're willing to subject your snakes to. A couple weeks without food isn't going to do any damage.