Do carpets digest slowly?

[Lolo76]

I posted a while back about a huge lump in my JCP's belly, nearly a week after eating his mouse fuzzy... he did poop shortly after that posting, and his belly went back to semi-normal size. I've fed him a few meals since, and it seems he always has this issue - GIANT lump for a day or two, large lump for another couple of days, and then it eventually shrinks down to (slightly bigger than) normal. He's growing quickly with weekly mouse fuzzy feedings, but it seems to be all going to his stomach. I swear he has a beer gut, LOL.

He's been pooping about every other week, urates passing weekly, and seems fine in his behavior... spends about 25% of his time in the hide, and the rest perched on his branch. I did speak to my vet the first time I noticed that lump, and she said to make sure he's directly over belly heat for digestion, and to give him a warm soak if needed. I moved the position of his tub to offer more belly heat, and that did seem to help a bit. But as a new carpet owner, who only had BPs and corns prior to him, I'm wondering if they just digest a little slower - and grow in a different way (stomach first, then neck/tail)?? I'll try to get some recent pics to post later, but just curious as to their usual digestion and growth rates. Any thoughts?

[CoolioTiffany]

Since Carpets are more slimmer, it could be just because he's so slim. Normally I'll see a huge lump for a few days in baby corn snakes after I feed them (at the reptile sanctuary).

If he defecates normally and acts like his normal self then you don't have much to worry about unless it gets really serious.

I would still check to make sure nothing is wrong so keep a close eye on him.

[Lolo76]

Thanks Tiff. The rest of my collection is only BPs, corns and a fat Hognose, so I'm just not used to these skinny snakes! His temperament is great and he seems to pass enough urine & feces, so I guess I'll stop worrying about him... I'll take some photos later, so you can see how he looks now.

[CoolioTiffany]

Thanks Tiff. The rest of my collection is only BPs, corns and a fat Hognose, so I'm just not used to these skinny snakes! His temperament is great and he seems to pass enough urine & feces, so I guess I'll stop worrying about him... I'll take some photos later, so you can see how he looks now.

I would appreciate it, I wanna see what you are trying to describe

[Lolo76]

He actually looks fine now, so I guess they do just digest slowly - or at least Kipling does. Here are some pics from tonight (in shed), and from when he had a big lump...

Tonight






Lump from a few weeks ago

[Angelique]

Mine is actually the opposite, he eats much more, and much more frequently than any BP I've had, and is hungry as soon as he pases a meal. A 15% body weight meal will be pooped in under 3 days. (Yes, he does look like he has a huge bulge in his stomach for about 48 hrs) I wouldn't worry as long as he goes back to his slim self a week after a meal, or once he has passed everything he ate. Keep a close eye on him.

[mainbutter]

I'd say no. In general, carpets are active, slim snakes, and that usually leads to a high digestive rate and a high metabolism.

Blood pythons are the exact oppostite. They are notorious for having a slow metabolism. I think that body shape and activity levels can be correlated to metabolism and rate of digestion.

My girl usually looks fully digested at 72 hours, but then again she's quite a bit bigger than your guy, so that may have something to do with it. Young carpets are just SOOO slim, you're probably going to see anything in their stomach that they haven't passed yet.

I'd double check your temps just in case, but it sounds like your snake is eating, pooping and living a healthy life, so I wouldn't be worried about it.

[Aeries]

My carpet has a much faster metaolism than my BP and Boas. Nobody can rival the garter snakes though. They are poop machines!

[Lolo76]

Thanks everyone... makes me feel better! He shed, pooped AND peed today, so I guess all is well. I'll post some new photos on another thread, since he looks so darned handsome after shedding.