Help; urgently needed!

Hey everyone

I've had my 2 year old female Royal/Ball Python for over three weeks now, and I'm going to start off by running you through the situation. I also own a 4 month old Corn snake, just to let you know lol.

Now, when I got her she hadn't eaten for two weeks, as she'd been in shed on her feeding day, so the store didn't try and offer. Now when I got her obviously I put her into her new tank. The temperatures are perfect, she has two snug-fitting hides, water, and a nice looking tank (I added fake plants etc.). So after a week I decided to feed her. I always strike-feed with Royals (I'd worked with them before) so she was no exception. She took it, no problems.

So after a week I checked for poo in the tank: Nothing. But after advice from others I continued with her second feed (last saturday 22/09/07). Now it's Wednesday and she still hasn't defacated. I know this because I've handled her today and I gave her a bath because I think she may be constipated. So during the bath I looked all over the tank for poo, again: Nothing.

I keep her on Repti-Bark, is it possible that she ingested the substrate and it became compacted? Is it too soon to worry, that after a week and a half and two feeds (two small/medium rats) she still hasn't poo'd?

Any advice would be appreciated

Thanks

David

Most of my adults only poo once a month or so, I wouldn't worry at this point unless she is acting unusual.

She'll poo when she's ready! :) I also have adults that may go a month to six weeks without defecating.


Just curious - what's strike-feeding?

Depending on what you're feeding her, she may not defecate for quite awhile. If they use all of the mouse/rat then there is no waste. If you're feeding pinks, fuzzies or pups, there isn't really a lot of hair or bones to not digest.

I wouldn't worry about her. As long as she's eating and looks good, you're fine.

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Originally Posted by rabernet

She'll poo when she's ready! :) I also have adults that may go a month to six weeks without defecating.


Just curious - what's strike-feeding?

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haha exactly what i was about to post! good thing i refreshed.

great minds robin, great minds...

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Originally Posted by bigballs

haha exactly what i was about to post! good thing i refreshed.

great minds robin, great minds...

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But of course! :love:

I had my 6 month old ball for about 6 weeks before he left me this present ;)

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v6...rwinPoo001.jpg


Good poo comes to those who wait ;) I am also curious as to what "strike feeding" is.

That... is one big poo. Thanks for all the advice and reassurance guys, I feel a lot better!

Oh and to answer the question that nearly all of you have asked. Strike-feeding is when the prey is dead and f/t, but you dangle it with a large pair of tongs. It provokes a more active response and prevents her from ingesting substrate whilst striking. Also, she's always been fed this way and to be honest, it's really fun! :D

Thanks once again!

David

Ah! The zombie dance. Gotcha! :sweeet:

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Originally Posted by rabernet

Ah! The zombie dance. Gotcha! :sweeet:

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Ha ha, nice, I like that.

I had her out today for 10 minutes or so, she's a good girl. :)

But my little amel had a little bit of shed left on his tail so obviously I removed it earlier, and boy, he wasn't happy lol. He was thrashing around and tried to bite me, fiesty little bugger. :sabduel:

Mine also goes 4-5 weeks between poos... they seem to like doing it the same time as a shed. The week before a poo you can kind of tell- the vent area looks a little swollen (kind of like there's a poo about to come out!). I've never been poo'd on, but a few members have when handling during this time. :)

Strike feeding aka the zombie mouse dance aka the dead rat boogie. :D


What is your feeding frequency? What size f/t rodent and what type of rodent (mouse or rat) are you feeding? What is her current weight?

Mine do not defecate that often. Now, urate; that is a different story! Every day one of them or more have urate to be cleaned up :)

For sure Ginevive!

Poo about once a month and urate about once or twice a week.