No Poo?

[fr3nchvanilla]

Hi Forum, me again.

I fed my BP 6 days ago, and although I have been checking his enclosure once every morning and again in the evening I have found no evidence of urine or feces. Is this normal? How often should he be going to the washroom? Also, should I still go ahead and feed him again tomorrow?

Another question- I went to check before I posted this and he is very faded and his eyes have clouded up (SO EXCITED! My first experience with him shedding!!!) will his impending shed affect his appetite?

I guess you might want to know his habitat information. He is in a glass enclosure with a UTH (hooked up to a thermostat set at 90F). His cool side is usually at 80F-82F and his hot side between 88F-90F (measured on the glass-under substrate). Humidity between 50-60%, generally 55% though. Although I'm bumping it up now because of his shed
He has 2 identical hides on either side, and 3 sides of his terrarium are blacked out for privacy. I don't use an overhead light but keep a nearby lamp on during the day and turn it off at night (simulate day/night cycle 12/12).
Oh and the substrate is a mix of Aspen and Cypress Mulch. He's been really good since I brought him home. Going from hide to hide, drinking his water(I change it twice a day and have noticed some gone- but still no pee?). He had no problem eating, although he was shy so i put a pillowcase over his enclosure to give him some privacy after I was positive the rat was dead. Checked up on him every little while.

Okay, well sorry it's so long! I hope you guys can help me out!!! Thank You!

[JLC]

Ball pythons just don't poo very often. And they are highly individual in how often they do go. Especially growing babies...they utilize so much of the prey that very little of it gets turned into waste material, and it can take a long time (sometimes several weeks) for enough of it to build up to expel.

They often poo at the same time they shed...but not always. You may get a nice stinky present with the shed, but don't be alarmed if you don't. Just keep feeding as normal and your snake will go whenever its ready to.

EDIT: Oops..missed a question! The shed cycle often causes them to lose their appetite, but not always. It won't hurt the snake to skip a feeding during the shed cycle if you don't want to risk wasting a prey item (or find yourself stuck with an uneaten live rodent, depending on how you feed). But it won't hurt to try and feed during the shed cycle either. You'll have to figure out what works for you and your snake.

[Alexandra V]

Yup, they don't pee or poo too often. Mine tend to pee every week or two, and they average about one poo per month (sometimes they'll do two small poos right after the other, but usually they just get it all out at once). Don't worry too much. They tend to go when they're ready and when they want to go.

[el8ch]

They often poo at the same time they shed...but not always. You may get a nice stinky present with the shed, but don't be alarmed if you don't. Just keep feeding as normal and your snake will go whenever its ready to.

Judy hit the nail on the head. Some snakes will keep their appetite through their shedding process and some will not. You can feed on your normal schedule and see if he decides to eat. Some of mine will eat every time they are offered a meal and some will not. You will learn the habits and routine of your little guy over time. I had many questions when I got my first one too and this forum helped out a lot!!!

[fr3nchvanilla]

Thank you so much! I was worried, because all my other pets ave their movements on the regular I appreciate the help.

[cdavidson9]

Guaranteed he'll let er' rip once he sheds.. It's usually my snakes' fav time to blast out a few brown ones.. (right after shed).

I was just as concerned when I had my first snake. He didn't poop for like 2 weeks and I was scared to feed him again. hahahaha.

No worries, he'll poop when he's ready! (and if you're really lucky, he'll immediately play with it and smear it everywhere possible.. That's when I call my snakes "Pablo Poop-casso"

[OtterGoRun]

Mine also only poop after a shed. I have only had one poo occur in between a shed. One of my snakes eats during shed, the other won't. They each have their habits, and you'll learn quickly what your animal's patterns are. Just keep checking your husbandry, giving your snake regular visual health checks, and you should be fine.

[AliCat37]

Lol I was actually so concerned when I got my BP since he was sooo different than my corn that I started keeping track of his poops. Soon I realized it was normal for him to go about once a month or every other if he's finicky with food. It's just the way he is. less mess for meeee!

[Munizfire]

No worries, he'll poop when he's ready! (and if you're really lucky, he'll immediately play with it and smear it everywhere possible.. That's when I call my snakes "Pablo Poop-casso"

please tell me you are kidding

[fr3nchvanilla]

Thanks! I hope he is not a smearer. If he does *cross fingers* should i clean it off with a warm damp cloth?