Cleaning...and poop questions!

[Brstin2flames]

Hey everyone,

I've had my ball for about 3 weeks now and I'm just wondering....when is he going to poop, or pee?! I'm not worried or anything because I know they can go a while without bodily functions, but just curious. I would have thought that I'd see some urates, some poop, something! He has eaten twice. Is slightly underweight and was not being fed the right sized prey until last feeding, so is it just that he could be using up his food more than usual?

Also, I have him on Reptibark, how often should I clean the entire thing out replacing all the bark?

Thanks!

[Vypyrz]

If he has been underfed then he is probably using most of the nutrients. Mine usually keep about a 3 in/1 out schedule. For cleaning, I usually just spot clean when they poop or pee. Just scoop out the dirty substrate and replace it with some clean. I usually do a total cleaning and substrate change at least once a month, more if they pee alot or smear poop everywhere...

I've never used Repti-Bark, but if it is dark colored then it may be harder to spot the pee stains. I use Aspen and it's pretty easy to tell when and where they pee and poop...

[stevepoppers]

Depends a lot on food intake. If he's malnourished, he'll be using as much of the food he does get as possible. They can go a really long time, though so don't get upset about him getting constipated because this is almost never the problem people think it is. It will probably take a few meals to create a constant "flow" through him.

[Crazy4Herps]

I wouldn't worry about it. Though snakes in a new and stressful situation can become constipated, it sounds like yours is going to use most of the food it takes in.

If you spot clean religiously, it's safe to replace all of the substrate every 6 months. (Exceptions include mite problems and mold. In these cases, change the substrate right away.)