Hello everyone, I introduced myself a few weeks ago and found the community very helpful in setting up my snake's enclosure.

I have three questions, two of which I've been wanting to ask and one a concern from tonight.

1. Most serious question first. She just had her 4th successful feeding since we got her 5 weeks ago. Each week she is more confident and is now actively hunting the frozen feeders we dangle in the enclosure as opposed to having to expose her from her hide and place it near her. Very happy with how she's adapting. However, after her feeding tonight, she dragged her rat pup into her hide to eat. She emerged a few minutes later, with a piece of reptibark substrate stuck in her teeth, just over 1/4" long. She wasn't in any sort of panic, but was yawning a lot and kept herself in the "S" position. I took her feeding tongs (rubber tipped) and tried to dislodge it. She gave the tongs a tag and retreated to her hide, but emerged a moment later with the bark now fully in her mouth. She's flicking her tongue a lot and is emerging a few inches before retreating but doesn't appear to be in any distress. I did put my hands in the enclosure and she got into position to tag me immediately. Fearing she'd regurgitate her meal, I left her alone but I believe the bark is still sitting in her mouth. So, my question is how much concern should I have here? She's 6 months old and around 18" long. If she swallows it, I'm sure she won't choke as it's way smaller than the rat, but is there a risk of bowel obstruction? Do I leave this alone or distress her by forcing my way into her mouth?

2. Speaking of bowels, she has fed weekly since her adjustment period ended. Three full weeks of eating, tonight was her 4th meal. She has yet to have a bowel movement, and I've only seen one urate in the 5 weeks we've had her. She handles well, is active, and has a wonderful temperament. No signs of stress at all. Am I just nervous and there's nothing to worry about or do we need to get her checked out?

3. Similar question. 5 weeks, and no sign of her shedding yet. Being 6 months old, I would have expected to see a shed by now. We've got her temperature under control, and while the enclosure itself seems to be stuck around 45% humidity, we're using sphagnum moss in her main hide and the humidity inside the hide tends to hold at a minimum 60%. Same question as before, any cause for concern here. At what point should I worry?


Thanks all.

Ian