Should I be worried?

I fed my bp rats for the first time Wednesday and she has yet to regurgitate or defecate. She hasn’t been drinking water either, she wasn’t got out of her hide to do anything since I’ve fed her, the most I’ve seen is every once in a while she sticks her head out of her hide. Should I be concerned?

Nope, totally normal :) They hide most of the time, don't move much, and it's normal for them to pass stool or urates once every few weeks. You most likely won't catch her drinking water very often because they are active mainly at night and can be secretive about their activities.

Welcome to the forum by the way!

Well, I’ve been watching her at night and measuring the level of water as well

Yup, I agree with Luvyna...there's a reason they're called "sneaky snakes"! :rofl:

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Originally Posted by RushDrag

Well, I’ve been watching her at night and measuring the level of water as well

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They get a lot of their water from prey...their bodies are designed to conserve water, especially needed for snakes from dry climates. But nothing wrong with
watching or even charting the evaporation...;) BPs are some of the least active snakes around, btw. Sometimes also called "pet rocks". :snake:

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Originally Posted by RushDrag

I fed my bp rats for the first time Wednesday and she has yet to regurgitate or defecate. She hasn’t been drinking water either, she wasn’t got out of her hide to do anything since I’ve fed her, the most I’ve seen is every once in a while she sticks her head out of her hide. Should I be concerned?

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Im trying to be as nice as I possibly can here because when I offer information people think I’m a jerk for some reason.

Here we go...

is this a truly serious question?

Number 1.) you don’t want your snakes regurgitating...

2.) it takes them sometimes weeks to digest a meal...

3.) if you keep bugging that snake by measuring his water and stuff like that he WILL regurgitate on you.

Lastly, please relax and do some more research on ball pythons. You don’t want to make your snakes situation worse because of your own personal anxieties.

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Originally Posted by RushDrag

I fed my bp rats for the first time Wednesday and she has yet to regurgitate or defecate. She hasn’t been drinking water either, she wasn’t got out of her hide to do anything since I’ve fed her, the most I’ve seen is every once in a while she sticks her head out of her hide. Should I be concerned?

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If you've never had a snake before their apparent lack of feedback can be disconcerting at first. Once you've been around them awhile it becomes more apparent when something needs attention. Don't worry, this will come with experience. For now, keep asking questions like you have and put your "extra" care and energy into the husbandry aspect. I know when I first started and my first was fed, watered and settled, I was at a loss as to what to do for her in the interim. So different than dogs and cats, etc. Keep up the good work and listen to the experienced member's advice.

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Originally Posted by Moose84

Im trying to be as nice as I possibly can here because when I offer information people think I’m a jerk for some reason.

Here we go...

is this a truly serious question?

Number 1.) you don’t want your snakes regurgitating...

2.) it takes them sometimes weeks to digest a meal...

3.) if you keep bugging that snake by measuring his water and stuff like that he WILL regurgitate on you.

Lastly, please relax and do some more research on ball pythons. You don’t want to make your snakes situation worse because of your own personal anxieties.

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Wow, can't see why anyone would think you're a jerk. Lol. Just kidding. But, as a newbie myself, researching can leave you more confused than when you began. That's why people come here to ask those that actually have snakes. Even then you can get the wrong info. I've read other forums and social media sites and am amazed at some crazy things I've read. So try to be patient with us just learning. We hope to have as much knowledge as you one day.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Moose84

Im trying to be as nice as I possibly can here because when I offer information people think I’m a jerk for some reason.

Here we go...

is this a truly serious question?

Number 1.) you don’t want your snakes regurgitating...

2.) it takes them sometimes weeks to digest a meal...

3.) if you keep bugging that snake by measuring his water and stuff like that he WILL regurgitate on you.

Lastly, please relax and do some more research on ball pythons. You don’t want to make your snakes situation worse because of your own personal anxieties.

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It shouldn’t be hard to be nice about giving advice to people that seek it. Also if u have to start off your advice by saying ur going to try and be nice then maybe u shouldn’t post and let the hundreds of other members that can give advice without the “is this a truly serious question” and just try and help the new guy and have him stay and better himself instead of feeling like he doesn’t belong because he doesn’t know everything.

O

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Originally Posted by LisaG

Wow, can't see why anyone would think you're a jerk. Lol. Just kidding. But, as a newbie myself, researching can leave you more confused than h. That's why people come here to ask those that actually have snakes. Even then you can get the wrong info. I've read other forums and social media sites and am amazed at some crazy things I've read. So try to be patient with us just learning. We hope to have as much knowledge as you one day.

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Well u posted right before me but yes. It’s hard for people to get the right info. Everyone thinks they are right, but most are not. There is a video by vertasium on YouTube that talks about how 93% of people tested think that they are smarter than they really are.

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Originally Posted by Danger noodles

It shouldn’t be hard to be nice about giving advice to people that seek it. Also if u have to start off your advice by saying ur going to try and be nice then maybe u shouldn’t post and let the hundreds of other members that can give advice without the “is this a truly serious question” and just try and help the new guy and have him stay and better himself instead of feeling like he doesn’t belong because he doesn’t know everything.

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Im not going to argue with anyone. I have already been chastised by “moderators..” I have the animals best interest in mind and I don’t think pacifying bad keeping is appropriate. I have been through NUMEROUS threads stating “you need to do more research” or “did you even look at the stickies?” Yet I come out with 3 INFORMATIVE replies and because they don’t make people feel happy I’m a villain?

Remember. It’s about the animals not the owners. 👍

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Originally Posted by Moose84

Im not going to argue with anyone. I have already been chastised by “moderators..” I have the animals best interest in mind and I don’t think pacifying bad keeping is appropriate. I have been through NUMEROUS threads stating “you need to do more research” or “did you even look at the stickies?” Yet I come out with 3 INFORMATIVE replies and because they don’t make people feel happy I’m a villain?

Remember. It’s about the animals not the owners. ��

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“Don’t ever argue with an idiot, they will bring u down to their level and beat u with experience” mark Twain

no need to argue with anyone. Just give out the best info and let them take it or not. Most likely they are here because they are looking for better info then what was already told to them. If u can’t control ur personal feelings then Facebook is probably the better platform.

Sorry for the derail op, but plz continue to ask away with anything u need. We are all truly here to help.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Moose84

Im trying to be as nice as I possibly can here because when I offer information people think I’m a jerk for some reason.

Here we go...

is this a truly serious question?

Number 1.) you don’t want your snakes regurgitating...

2.) it takes them sometimes weeks to digest a meal...

3.) if you keep bugging that snake by measuring his water and stuff like that he WILL regurgitate on you.

Lastly, please relax and do some more research on ball pythons. You don’t want to make your snakes situation worse because of your own personal anxieties.

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Listen, this isn't the way to start off a "helpful" response, and furthermore, it was OBVIOUSLY a serious question on the part of the OP (original poster).

You deliberately "read into the OP's post"...I'm pretty sure they KNOW they don't want their snake to regurgitate, they just didn't phrase it as well as others might have.
When we forum members have the best interest of our guests and more importantly, the PETS they keep, this is not the way to answer.

It normally does NOT take "weeks" for a snake to digest a meal...your over-statement for drama was not helpful.

The OP never said they were "bugging that snake by measuring his water": so again, trying to diminish the OP because they sought our help? It's entirely possible to
look in the cage (without disturbing the occupant) to see the water level & make assumptions about how much the snake did or didn't drink. A snake may drink so little
that it's not possible to be sure whether or not it's drinking water, but at no time did the OP indicate that they were "bugging that snake"...instead, YOU chose to make
that assumption, again to belittle the poster for asking...then mentioning their "personal anxieties" that YOU assume they have. Not a very welcoming answer, is it?

These are the reasons that I, for one, did not appreciate this post, & it likely didn't help the OP one bit, especially since it derailed the thread because others also took
issue with your post as well.

RushDrag, how's it going with your snake? Please be assured that MOST of us are here to help & will take your questions seriously.
Rest assured we were ALL new at one time, & we all wondered many of the same things. :snake:

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Originally Posted by Bogertophis

Listen, this isn't the way to start off a "helpful" response, and furthermore, it was OBVIOUSLY a serious question on the part of the OP (original poster).

You deliberately "read into the OP's post"...I'm pretty sure they KNOW they don't want their snake to regurgitate, they just didn't phrase it as well as others might have.
When we forum members have the best interest of our guests and more importantly, the PETS they keep, this is not the way to answer.

It normally does NOT take "weeks" for a snake to digest a meal...your over-statement for drama was not helpful.

The OP never said they were "bugging that snake by measuring his water": so again, trying to diminish the OP because they sought our help? It's entirely possible to
look in the cage (without disturbing the occupant) to see the water level & make assumptions about how much the snake did or didn't drink. A snake may drink so little
that it's not possible to be sure whether or not it's drinking water, but at no time did the OP indicate that they were "bugging that snake"...instead, YOU chose to make
that assumption, again to belittle the poster for asking...then mentioning their "personal anxieties" that YOU assume they have. Not a very welcoming answer, is it?

These are the reasons that I, for one, did not appreciate this post, & it likely didn't help the OP one bit, especially since it derailed the thread because others also took
issue with your post as well.

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I would encourage you to REALLY understand the animals, mam. In this case if the snake doesn’t have a BM within a week it will cause the owner even more stress and they ultimately effects the animal.. pleas don’t post hate at me which ultimately gives bad advice.

Take good care. Remember. We are here for the animals not owners feelings. 👍

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Originally Posted by Moose84

I would encourage you to REALLY understand the animals, mam. In this case if the snake doesn’t have a BM within a week it will cause the owner even more stress and they ultimately effects the animal.. pleas don’t post hate at me which ultimately gives bad advice.

Take good care. Remember. We are here for the animals not owners feelings. [emoji106]

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Well, I am here for the animals AND the owners. The animals are certainly not above us. You need to work on your communication skills here in the forum, as your posts come across as arrogant condescension.

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Originally Posted by Moose84

...We are here for the animals not owners feelings. 👍

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The animals are not reading the posts...the owners are- that is, until posts like yours make them seek help elsewhere. I too am "here for them both"
and I think you need a better mantra. :snake:

OP, your snake will be fine as long as the husbandry is on point (ie Warm enough to digest food properly but not too hot to cook the snake). They drink when they want to, which is rarely. When they do, it probably happens during the night when you are asleep. Reptiles need very little water and keeps themselves well hydrated by other means, such as the prey item that it recently ate. Just make sure fresh water is available and it will do what it needs to do.

There are no stupid questions. If anything changes or in a week, you are getting more worried, ask away.

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