My first ball python

[Luvyna]

A little question for yall.
Since my snake shed, i saw that his tail is really pointy, before shedding i never felt it that pointy and im wondering if he shed the tip completely. I don't know if their tail is supposed to be like that.

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This looks okay to me too but like plateOfFlan said, you can use a damp paper towel and gently run it over the end of the tail in the direction of the scales to ensure all the shed came off. Sometimes it can be really hard to spot stuck shed on tails so it's good to be sure.

Also, it's normal for the ends of their tails to feel stiffer/sharper/pointier as they age! I think the pointy tail actually helps them hold onto things because my ball python will sometimes dig the pointy end of his tail into me or whatever he is holding onto for a better grip.

[Bogertophis]

Looks normal to me too- seems like many snakes (of all kinds) have tail tips like that. It's common in my rat snakes- but of course, you have to look close to notice.
True confession though, I had to restrain my wicked sense of humor- I thought about saying he's growing a rattle & must surely be a rattle-ball hybrid-

[D4NKYD4NK]

Looks normal to me too- seems like many snakes (of all kinds) have tail tips like that. It's common in my rat snakes- but of course, you have to look close to notice.
True confession though, I had to restrain my wicked sense of humor- I thought about saying he's growing a rattle & must surely be a rattle-ball hybrid-

Lol that would be kinda sick... until he bites

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[Bogertophis]

Lol that would be kinda sick... until he bites

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Well keep us posted, if he gets any rattles?

[Bogertophis]

Or rough & keeled scales...?

[Albert Clark]

I’ll make it unanimous! Tail tip looks absolutely normal. What a handsome reptile. Congratulations.

[D4NKYD4NK]

I am a bit worried, for like the tenth time lol
My snake hasn't pooped since a couple days after he shed, maybe a month ago. I fed him 3 meals since, usually he poops every two meals. I should feed him in like one or 2 days. I have seen a lot of different opinions on if I should soak him or not. He seems a bit bloated in the rear of his body, probably like the other times before he poops, I tried to feel if there is something hard blocking but couldn't really feel anything. Should I soak him before before feeding or wait still a bit !

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[Bogertophis]

I am a bit worried, for like the tenth time lol
My snake hasn't pooped since a couple days after he shed, maybe a month ago. I fed him 3 meals since, usually he poops every two meals. I should feed him in like one or 2 days. I have seen a lot of different opinions on if I should soak him or not. He seems a bit bloated in the rear of his body, probably like the other times before he poops, I tried to feel if there is something hard blocking but couldn't really feel anything. Should I soak him before before feeding or wait still a bit !

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Here's the thing- when young snakes are eating young prey items, those young rodents are more digestible. When a snake doesn't need to eliminate wastes, they don't, because it wastes the water in their body too- they save it up until they actually NEED to go, like when you're holding them while wearing your "date clothes"- you know, the "dry-clean stuff"- (Okay, I'm kidding, it's just a coincidence...I think?)

Seriously, snakes do not necessarily defecate once per meal eaten- it can easily be 1:3 or 1:4- there's no rule, but IF your snake is looking bloated or has a hard lump (urate crystal stone blocking the cloaca) then a soak or just some handling may help. BPs tend to be fairly inactive, & that IS why they may defecate on us when we least expect it (but should have...)- it's the motions* that help, & the same is true of a shallow tepid water soak- it's more effective if the snake can spread out with your support & full attention, & be swimming in place. It's mostly the motion that's helping, not so much the water. *That's also why many snakes defecate while shedding- sometimes right inside the shed (so "tidy"!)- it's because the act of shedding is exercise for them, using all their muscles to "un-dress".

Can you post a few pics showing this "bit bloated in the rear of his body"? Keep in mind that IF you try to soak him prior to a meal, it may put him OFF eating, due to it being stressful. So unless you really think there's an issue, I wouldn't soak him prior to feeding. In fact, if you really think there's an issue, then you shouldn't actually feed him either- snakes did not evolve with feeding schedules where prey animals voluntarily show up to be eaten on such a regular basis as most of our pets enjoy.

[D4NKYD4NK]

Here's the thing- when young snakes are eating young prey items, those young rodents are more digestible. When a snake doesn't need to eliminate wastes, they don't, because it wastes the water in their body too- they save it up until they actually NEED to go, like when you're holding them while wearing your "date clothes"- you know, the "dry-clean stuff"- (Okay, I'm kidding, it's just a coincidence...I think?)

Seriously, snakes do not necessarily defecate once per meal eaten- it can easily be 1:3 or 1:4- there's no rule, but IF your snake is looking bloated or has a hard lump (urate crystal stone blocking the cloaca) then a soak or just some handling may help. BPs tend to be fairly inactive, & that IS why they may defecate on us when we least expect it (but should have...)- it's the motions* that help, & the same is true of a shallow tepid water soak- it's more effective if the snake can spread out with your support & full attention, & be swimming in place. It's mostly the motion that's helping, not so much the water. *That's also why many snakes defecate while shedding- sometimes right inside the shed (so "tidy"!)- it's because the act of shedding is exercise for them, using all their muscles to "un-dress".

Can you post a few pics showing this "bit bloated in the rear of his body"? Keep in mind that IF you try to soak him prior to a meal, it may put him OFF eating, due to it being stressful. So unless you really think there's an issue, I wouldn't soak him prior to feeding. In fact, if you really think there's an issue, then you shouldn't actually feed him either- snakes did not evolve with feeding schedules where prey animals voluntarily show up to be eaten on such a regular basis as most of our pets enjoy.

Ill try and get pics tomorrow but it doesnt seem really bad, its just after he eliminates waste he is really thin at the back but even after one meal he gets a bit thicker ! Other than that he seems pretty normal, pokes his head out as soon as the light closes everynight, I handle him maybe once every day or 2. The only thing is he seems to hang a bit more under the water bowl, a bit colder and more humid so i dont know. Ill try and post pics tomorrow! Thanks for the help, youre always there to calm me down when i think something is wrong

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[Bogertophis]

Ill try and get pics tomorrow but it doesnt seem really bad, its just after he eliminates waste he is really thin at the back but even after one meal he gets a bit thicker ! Other than that he seems pretty normal, pokes his head out as soon as the light closes everynight, I handle him maybe once every day or 2. The only thing is he seems to hang a bit more under the water bowl, a bit colder and more humid so i dont know. Ill try and post pics tomorrow! Thanks for the help, youre always there to calm me down when i think something is wrong

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Sorta reminds me of people that eat a big meal & then loosen their belt, eh? I mean, even we humans get "thicker" after a meal. Sounds like he's still just digesting- but pics would help us to better advise. Sometimes when snakes prefer to be cooler & more humid, it's when they're going into a shed cycle. So he may actually prefer to skip the next meal anyway. Try not to worry, snakes mostly know what they need, even if we're not so sure what they're up to. The longer you live with snakes, the easier it gets to read their "signs". (& I don't mean their "horoscopes" lol)