Spider gene and constipation?

I have two bps with the spider gene. Both seem to go for longer than normal periods without defecating. Is this a frequent issue for this gene? I've noticed that they seem to favor one of their two hides, which is usually on the cool side. They don't seem to move around a lot. I haven't had to use the soaking method yet to get them to "get moving," so to speak. All I have to do is take them out and let them crawl around and explore and they usually manage to go within two days. There are times when this hasn't worked, though. Other times, I have to take their hide away on the cool side so they will go to their warm hide. This has worked on a couple occasions, as well. It hasn't presented any serious problems. I usually can assist them in working it out. Just wanted to know if anyone else has encountered this with their spiders.

What makes you think that they're going for longer than normal? How are you determining what is normal? Why do you feel the need to assist?

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Originally Posted by Eric Alan

What makes you think that they're going for longer than normal? How are you determining what is normal? Why do you feel the need to assist?

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Good question. I usually determine that it's longer than normal from the length of time my other bp's go. I can tell they are full by looking at their little tail end near their cloaca. I wouldn't say I assist. I just get them to move around a bit. It usually results in a big poo...and pee.

Problem is with your determination is that they are all different, if I compare some animals that are of the same sex, same age, same weight one might go every week while the other might go every 3 weeks.

Unless there is a persistent bulge near the cloaca that does not go away on it's own there is no need for concern or action.

Thank you, Deborah,

I'm still new at this stuff. I've only been a "snake lady" for a year, and as any new parent there is anxiety about always doing things right, wanting to give the best care to make sure my snakes are receiving the best care, and that they aren't uncomfortable in any way. I noticed that my two with the spider gene seem to go the longest. But, you are absolutely right, my other snakes don't all go the exact amount of time either. I'm glad that my mind is eased about my spidey pair. Thanks again.

Maybe its just coincidence, but my spider combo only pooped on the first day I had her and its been almost a month now. She also favors her cool side. I have been giving her meals on the small side, so that could be why. Does this look normal?

http://i282.photobucket.com/albums/k...s/CAM00474.jpg

Looks kind of bloated to me. How often are you feeding? I wonder if it isn't digesting right staying cold. Hope it isn't impacted. I give my juveniles food every 5-7 days but usually just one hopper if its every 5. 2 hoppers if its every 7 and they are on the small side.

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I would try setting him in a shallow bath of warm water for 5 minutes or so and gently massage its belly and see if it defecates cause it looks backed up.

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Originally Posted by gtrdeath87

Looks kind of bloated to me. How often are you feeding? I wonder if it isn't digesting right staying cold. Hope it isn't impacted. I give my juveniles food every 5-7 days but usually just one hopper if its every 5. 2 hoppers if its every 7 and they are on the small side.

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She does feel colder than my other bp whenever I touch her. I took her out to explore yesterday, but she didn't poop overnight. The breeder had her on rat pups. I fed her a 17 gram rat pup on 9/11. 3 little mouse pinkies for a total of 7 grams on 9/17, and a 5 gram mouse fuzzy on 9/25. I was spacing it out and giving her smaller meals since she looked bloated to me also. She will go to her warm side for a bit after eating, but only occasionally other than that. The hides are exactly the same on both sides. I will try the bath if she doesn't go by the time I get back from the store. Thanks!

Any Luck?

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Originally Posted by gtrdeath87

Any Luck?

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Nothing yet :/. I put her in an 88 degree bath and rubbed her stomach for 5-10 minutes. She doesn't feel hard though. I was doing some more reading on it and a month isn't uncommon. It was also recommended to keep feeding them the appropriate amount. I went ahead and fed her two 5 gram mouse fuzzies tonight. I took away her cool hide and will give it back in the morning that way I know she's digesting it properly. She hasn't shed since I've had her, so maybe she just doesn't need to go yet. I will try another warm bath in a few days.

Definitely keep us updated! Not a spider, but my baby pastel that I got three months ago didn't poop for a long time when we first got her. It was scary but warm baths and continued feeding seemed to help out.

Indeed there is something you should know also though. I just figured you could possibly coax a turd out of it to make yourself feel better (although it does seem a little swollen right before the end of the tail but I heald mine up earlier and looked close and when your not supporting their lower body she kind of looked similar) but lemme hit you with some knowledge; this should make you feel a lot less concerned. Ball pythons in their natural environment tend to take refuge in abandoned termite mounds. They do this for the soul purpose that small rodents like to hide in these same burrows. They are very lazy ambush predators they just crawl down to the bottom of a mounds guts and eat every rodent that comes strolling in. Of course after eating any inhabitants that were already calling it a home when the snake arrived. In order to keep new prey showing up to be consumed the den must not seem to be inhabited by a snake. This includes smells. So the Ball Python will sometimes try to hold their bowels until a time when they have to shed. This way when they desecrate the hide/ambush point with their presence they do it all in one shot. They shed, they crap and than they move on to a new den.

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Originally Posted by gtrdeath87

Indeed there is something you should know also though. I just figured you could possibly coax a turd out of it to make yourself feel better (although it does seem a little swollen right before the end of the tail but I heald mine up earlier and looked close and when your not supporting their lower body she kind of looked similar) but lemme hit you with some knowledge; this should make you feel a lot less concerned. Ball pythons in their natural environment tend to take refuge in abandoned termite mounds. They do this for the soul purpose that small rodents like to hide in these same burrows. They are very lazy ambush predators they just crawl down to the bottom of a mounds guts and eat every rodent that comes strolling in. Of course after eating any inhabitants that were already calling it a home when the snake arrived. In order to keep new prey showing up to be consumed the den must not seem to be inhabited by a snake. This includes smells. So the Ball Python will sometimes try to hold their bowels until a time when they have to shed. This way when they desecrate the hide/ambush point with their presence they do it all in one shot. They shed, they crap and than they move on to a new den.

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That makes sense, guess I'll wait and see when she sheds.

Still no poop, but her stomach doesn't feel hard. Fed her two more mouse fuzzies yesterday, and she is definitely in shed. Her eyes are blue, and her skin feels different.

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Originally Posted by nightwolfsnow

Still no poop, but her stomach doesn't feel hard. Fed her two more mouse fuzzies yesterday, and she is definitely in shed. Her eyes are blue, and her skin feels different.

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Here is why, you are feeding fuzzies.

If those are fuzzy mice they are inadequate, those are colubrid food not BP food, a BP right out of the egg will take a hopper and quickly move to adult.

Young animals use most of the prey item for growth, if not fed adequately there will be nothing left to defecate.

Your BP is underfed, start feeding and it will defecate.

_{My spider is about six years old and he has never had any issues, he has always been a great eater and no problems pooping.
I don't necessarily think the spider morph has anything to do with constipation, I would say its more like just your specific snake who has
Constipation issues just like some people may suffer from constipation.}

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Originally Posted by Deborah

Here is why, you are feeding fuzzies.

If those are fuzzy mice they are inadequate, those are colubrid food not BP food, a BP right out of the egg will take a hopper and quickly move to adult.

Young animals use most of the prey item for growth, if not fed adequately there will be nothing left to defecate.

Your BP is underfed, start feeding and it will defecate.

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Hmm could be it. Though she does look like she has a small bulge. I've been paranoid about giving her anything as large as a small mouse. Her neck seems really skinny compared to my other two hatchlings. I haven't been able to get rat pinkies since her first feeding. I have a bunch on order that will be delivered in time for her next feeding though. I'm probably just being paranoid about the prey size, I know the rest of her body is big enough for a small mouse.

You'll be surprised how much her neck will stretch. She can handle it.

Dave

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Originally Posted by nightwolfsnow

Hmm could be it. Though she does look like she has a small bulge. I've been paranoid about giving her anything as large as a small mouse. Her neck seems really skinny compared to my other two hatchlings. I haven't been able to get rat pinkies since her first feeding. I have a bunch on order that will be delivered in time for her next feeding though. I'm probably just being paranoid about the prey size, I know the rest of her body is big enough for a small mouse.

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It's not could be it, it is it you are underfeeding your animal, and the entire amount of food it utilize for growth, hence no poop.

The only reason why a BP should be given a fuzzies is if it was about 20/30 grams out of the egg and no reputable breeder would let a BP that small go.

You don't feed base on the size of the neck but base on the widest part of it's body.

Start feeding the right amount of food every 5 to 7 days and your BP will poop, might take a while though since the prey size has no been adequate.

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