Baby ball python pooping schedule?

Hi everyone, ultimate newbie here!

My question might seem odd or stupid but I was wondering how long it takes on average for a snake to digest and poop out a mice after it's eaten? I am asking to make sure I am not doing anything wrong or that could stress the snake out, since after 3 days I still can't find anything in her tank.

Back story:

After years of obsessing over them, I finally decided to get my first pet snake! She is a baby ball python (normal/wild type), about 15 inches long and I haven't weighed her yet since the scale I ordered online is still not here...
Before buying her I did the whole checking for blood mites and for mucus around the nose thing, even handled her a little, and despite being a little skittish she was all good. Now I have her in a 20 gallon terrarium with a temp gradient (originally planned on getting an older and bigger snake but kinda fell in love with her). I have a heat mat on one side hooked to a thermostat set at 90F, a hygrometer to make sure the terrarium stays above 50% humidity and a thermometer to make sure the ambient temp stay around 80F. I also have a Zoo med 60W Nightlight red heat lamp that I turn on at night.
I left her alone for 72 hours after getting her home to make sure she would get used to her new habitat, and thought she did. She hides all day in either the warm side or the cold side depending on her mood, then comes out at night to explore. I handled her once on the forth day but she was still kinda tense, she'd explore around, going up my arm but stop as soon as I moved and go into a defensive positon.
On the next day, I decided to try to feed her and she took the F/T mouse no issues. She's been spending her days in her hide on the warm side ever since and it's been three days. Every other day I open her tank to change the water and use that opportunity to spot clean ( which is hard as hell on cypress mulch substrate) but I still can't find anything, yesterday she even hissed at me while I was doing that, something she didn't do the previous times.

Any suggestions on anything I should change/ do better?

Also here is a picture of baby Hebi ( that's her name)
https://ball-pythons.net/forums/cach...om/9zyHhOq.jpg

Sounds like you're well on your way to a happy healthy snake. Monitor and don't interact unless you need to for a few more weeks. Mine poop generally 5-6 days after eating (they're about the same size) and it's less than a dime sized amount. Really hard to see against substrate sometimes. I find it by smell when I pull out their tub.

Paul

There is NO schedule they are efficient and go as needed when fed appropriately, depends on the snake metabolism and food intake, they all eventually go that is the only thing that is for certain and so long there is not obvious persistent bulge there is nothing to worry about

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Originally Posted by pbenner

Sounds like you're well on your way to a happy healthy snake. Monitor and don't interact unless you need to for a few more weeks. Mine poop generally 5-6 days after eating (they're about the same size) and it's less than a dime sized amount. Really hard to see against substrate sometimes. I find it by smell when I pull out their tub.

Paul

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Thanks I'll just monitor for now. By not interacting do you mean I shouldn't handle her? Is it too early?

they can take a while to doeither - digest their food .. and poop. sometimes they choose to do it when inshed .. i find it either before or after their sheds usually but when on a goodfeeding regiment they will be more predictable .. but as mentioned .. there isno "once a week" answer .. it all depends on your animal and husbandryobviously but you’ll get poop soon I can guarantee it lmfao!

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Deborah

There is NO schedule they are efficient and go as needed when fed appropriately, depends on the snake metabolism and food intake, they all eventually go that is the only thing that is for certain and so long there is not obvious persistent bulge there is nothing to worry about

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Thanks for the infos! Reassuring to know there's nothing to worry about for the moment.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Ronniex2

they can take a while to doeither - digest their food .. and poop. sometimes they choose to do it when inshed .. i find it either before or after their sheds usually but when on a goodfeeding regiment they will be more predictable .. but as mentioned .. there isno "once a week" answer .. it all depends on your animal and husbandryobviously but you’ll get poop soon I can guarantee it lmfao!

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Lool good to know. Heard snake poop stinks to high heaven sk I'm preparing myself for that.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by KareemDaDream

Thanks I'll just monitor for now. By not interacting do you mean I shouldn't handle her? Is it too early?

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Most folks recommend that you not handle for the first 2-3 weeks after arrival. Personally, If mine is not hiding and is hunting, I feed them. If they eat, digest, and have no problems, I take them out 2-3 days later and inspect them for a few minutes (Nose, Mouth, Vent, and Body shape) for any issues and let them go back. I don't start handling in earnest until they've had 2-3 meals no problems and have been in their homes for at least 2 weeks.

Paul

Quote:

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Originally Posted by KareemDaDream

Hi everyone, ultimate newbie here!

My question might seem odd or stupid but I was wondering how long it takes on average for a snake to digest and poop out a mice after it's eaten? I am asking to make sure I am not doing anything wrong or that could stress the snake out, since after 3 days I still can't find anything in her tank.

Back story:

After years of obsessing over them, I finally decided to get my first pet snake! She is a baby ball python (normal/wild type), about 15 inches long and I haven't weighed her yet since the scale I ordered online is still not here...
Before buying her I did the whole checking for blood mites and for mucus around the nose thing, even handled her a little, and despite being a little skittish she was all good. Now I have her in a 20 gallon terrarium with a temp gradient (originally planned on getting an older and bigger snake but kinda fell in love with her). I have a heat mat on one side hooked to a thermostat set at 90F, a hygrometer to make sure the terrarium stays above 50% humidity and a thermometer to make sure the ambient temp stay around 80F. I also have a Zoo med 60W Nightlight red heat lamp that I turn on at night.
I left her alone for 72 hours after getting her home to make sure she would get used to her new habitat, and thought she did. She hides all day in either the warm side or the cold side depending on her mood, then comes out at night to explore. I handled her once on the forth day but she was still kinda tense, she'd explore around, going up my arm but stop as soon as I moved and go into a defensive positon.
On the next day, I decided to try to feed her and she took the F/T mouse no issues. She's been spending her days in her hide on the warm side ever since and it's been three days. Every other day I open her tank to change the water and use that opportunity to spot clean ( which is hard as hell on cypress mulch substrate) but I still can't find anything, yesterday she even hissed at me while I was doing that, something she didn't do the previous times.

Any suggestions on anything I should change/ do better?

Also here is a picture of baby Hebi ( that's her name)
https://ball-pythons.net/forums/cach...om/9zyHhOq.jpg

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I'm glad you ask this question. I am a newbie also and was wondering the same thing. Lol. My BP had his first meal with me last Sunday and havent poop it out yet. Lol.

Sent from my SM-N950U using Tapatalk

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Originally Posted by Mc.mischievous7

I'm glad you ask this question. I am a newbie also and was wondering the same thing. Lol. My BP had his first meal with me last Sunday and havent poop it out yet. Lol.

Sent from my SM-N950U using Tapatalk

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Lool sounds exactly like what I am dealing with, same day and all. Glad I could be of help, even indirectly. :)

- - - Updated - - -

Quote:

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Originally Posted by pbenner

Most folks recommend that you not handle for the first 2-3 weeks after arrival. Personally, If mine is not hiding and is hunting, I feed them. If they eat, digest, and have no problems, I take them out 2-3 days later and inspect them for a few minutes (Nose, Mouth, Vent, and Body shape) for any issues and let them go back. I don't start handling in earnest until they've had 2-3 meals no problems and have been in their homes for at least 2 weeks.

Paul

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Thanks for the help! Much appreciated.

It’s not the smell of poop that’s bad. It’s when they pee that it stinks!! Mine likes peeing in the bath and it sucks lol

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Originally Posted by Danger noodles

It’s not the smell of poop that’s bad. It’s when they pee that it stinks!! Mine likes peeing in the bath and it sucks lol

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Well, why are you bathing your snake in the first place?

Quote:

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Originally Posted by KareemDaDream

Hi everyone, ultimate newbie here!

My question might seem odd or stupid but I was wondering how long it takes on average for a snake to digest and poop out a mice after it's eaten? I am asking to make sure I am not doing anything wrong or that could stress the snake out, since after 3 days I still can't find anything in her tank.

Back story:

After years of obsessing over them, I finally decided to get my first pet snake! She is a baby ball python (normal/wild type), about 15 inches long and I haven't weighed her yet since the scale I ordered online is still not here...
Before buying her I did the whole checking for blood mites and for mucus around the nose thing, even handled her a little, and despite being a little skittish she was all good. Now I have her in a 20 gallon terrarium with a temp gradient (originally planned on getting an older and bigger snake but kinda fell in love with her). I have a heat mat on one side hooked to a thermostat set at 90F, a hygrometer to make sure the terrarium stays above 50% humidity and a thermometer to make sure the ambient temp stay around 80F. I also have a Zoo med 60W Nightlight red heat lamp that I turn on at night.
I left her alone for 72 hours after getting her home to make sure she would get used to her new habitat, and thought she did. She hides all day in either the warm side or the cold side depending on her mood, then comes out at night to explore. I handled her once on the forth day but she was still kinda tense, she'd explore around, going up my arm but stop as soon as I moved and go into a defensive positon.
On the next day, I decided to try to feed her and she took the F/T mouse no issues. She's been spending her days in her hide on the warm side ever since and it's been three days. Every other day I open her tank to change the water and use that opportunity to spot clean ( which is hard as hell on cypress mulch substrate) but I still can't find anything, yesterday she even hissed at me while I was doing that, something she didn't do the previous times.

Any suggestions on anything I should change/ do better?

Also here is a picture of baby Hebi ( that's her name)
https://ball-pythons.net/forums/cach...om/9zyHhOq.jpg

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Welcome to the forum and the wonderful world of snake keeping!!

To answer the poop question...they poop when they're ready. There are too many variables and no set schedule.

What size prey are you feeding? How much does the snake weigh?

As for handling...yes, it's definitely too early to be handling. It's best, especially for beginners, to wait until the snake has eaten three consecutive meals without refusal.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by craigafrechette

Welcome to the forum and the wonderful world of snake keeping!!

To answer the poop question...they poop when they're ready. There are too many variables and no set schedule.

What size prey are you feeding? How much does the snake weigh?

As for handling...yes, it's definitely too early to be handling. It's best, especially for beginners, to wait until the snake has eaten three consecutive meals without refusal.

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Hey, thanks for the welcome!!

I gave her a F/T hopper mouse which she took no issues. I haven't weighed her yet because I don't have a scale yet but I will.
As for handling I'll just wait as you all have recommended, I want the snake to be comfortable first, I can wait.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by KareemDaDream

Hey, thanks for the welcome!!

I gave her a F/T hopper mouse which she took no issues. I haven't weighed her yet because I don't have a scale yet but I will.
As for handling I'll just wait as you all have recommended, I want the snake to be comfortable first, I can wait.

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Ok. Hoppers are too small for a BP. They eat hoppers right out of the egg for their first few meals, typically only 3-5, and quickly move up to small adult mice.

Your snake is likely using 100% of its food intake to sustain growth, so may not have any left to poop out.

:welcome: As Craig already explained, your young snake is eating young rodents that are mostly "use-able" with nothing left over. As your snake eats larger
rodents that have more hair & bigger bones, your snake will have more waste to expel. So as already mentioned, there's no real "schedule" & it's rarely ever an
issue. Beautiful new snake you've got...glad to have you join us. You should also know that snakes are "addicting". ;)

Well in his water bowl. He likes to soak in it when he pees. I say he is bathing but I guess soaking is a better word.

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Originally Posted by Danger noodles

Well in his water bowl. He likes to soak in it when he pees. I say he is bathing but I guess soaking is a better word.

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Ah ok. You threw my off by saying he pees in the bath...all good th9ugh. Sorry bout the confusion.

Came home this late morning & had a surprise waiting for me. Mystic finally [emoji90]. Now he will enough room in his tummy for his rat this evening!! Way to go Mystic!

Sent from my SM-N950U using Tapatalk

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Mc.mischievous7

Came home this late morning & had a surprise waiting for me. Mystic finally [emoji90]. Now he will enough room in his tummy for his rat this evening!! Way to go Mystic!

Sent from my SM-N950U using Tapatalk

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Great to hear!! My snake went into shed so I gotta wait lol

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Originally Posted by KareemDaDream

Great to hear!! My snake went into shed so I gotta wait lol

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Oh really!! That's awsome. Congratz

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