Is My BP Constipated and Dehydrated?

[erikkaferraro]

I brought home my Albino Ball Python just about 5 weeks ago. When I first brought him home, I saw his eyes go blue-ish and was expecting a shed- but it never came.
Yesterday- right after I fed him, I noticed his body looked lumpy, and when he was balled up, you could see the folds in his side. After doing some research it looked as if he might be a little bit dehydrated. I have a housing option for him, but he chooses to hide underneath his water bowl at all times. The only time I ever see him is when I need to change his water- other than that he doesn't come out even at night. His temps are normal- varying between 77 on the low side (where he stays) and 89 on the warm side, with a humidity level of around 60.
Since I've got him, I've fed him 3 times- including the recent feed yesterday. But he hasn't pooped yet!!! Not once.
So his body is lumpy like he's dehydrated and there hasn't been a single poop. So I'm wondering if I should bathe him to help him better digest his food. But since I fed him yesterday I feel like I should wait the 48 hours so he doesn't regurgitate. Is there anything else I should be doing? I want to make sure he's happy and healthy- but I'm new at this and scared I'm doing something wrong. And how do I get him to drink water?
I'll post pictures when I get some.

Thank you so much!

[tttaylorrr]

I brought home my Albino Ball Python just about 5 weeks ago. When I first brought him home, I saw his eyes go blue-ish and was expecting a shed- but it never came.

albino eyes don't get "blue" and their shed process isn't as obvious as other morphs. it took me a while to easily recognize signs of shed in my albino. the belly goes pink first and the eyes become like a soft pink.

Yesterday- right after I fed him, I noticed his body looked lumpy, and when he was balled up, you could see the folds in his side. After doing some research it looked as if he might be a little bit dehydrated.

pics will help us. we can't really gauge much based on this description.

I have a housing option for him, but he chooses to hide underneath his water bowl at all times.

you have only ONE hide? which side is your hide on? where is the water bowl located in the enclosure? 2 identical cave-like hides on each side of the enclosure is SOP with beeps. it sounds like your hide is not adequate. it could also be an issue of temperature, which i will address later on in my post.

The only time I ever see him is when I need to change his water- other than that he doesn't come out even at night.

"a hiding ball is a happy ball." this doesn't sound like a red flag. if the snake is starting to shed you won't see them for almost 2 weeks.

His temps are normal- varying between 77 on the low side (where he stays) and 89 on the warm side, with a humidity level of around 60.

do you know these temps for a FACT? how you measure your temps is very important. is your heat source regulated? if so, how?

Since I've got him, I've fed him 3 times- including the recent feed yesterday. But he hasn't pooped yet!!! Not once.

youngin' beeps will hold on to their waste for a long time.

So his body is lumpy like he's dehydrated and there hasn't been a single poop. So I'm wondering if I should bathe him to help him better digest his food.

it could help, but only if you know he could be constipated. pictures will help us give you better advice.

But since I fed him yesterday I feel like I should wait the 48 hours so he doesn't regurgitate.

yes you should wait.

Is there anything else I should be doing? I want to make sure he's happy and healthy- but I'm new at this and scared I'm doing something wrong. And how do I get him to drink water?

beeps get their water intake through their skin and from the prey they eat. if your humidity is correct, he should not be dehydrated.

welcome to the forum. don't be scared! asking questions is how you learn!

[erikkaferraro]

Hey thank you so much for all this great info!

I'll be sure just to keep an eye out for a pink belly on my guy during shedding season.

I rearranged his tank and put in another hide, although he still chooses to go under the water dish. Temperatures are closely monitored- I have an ambient thermostat, and two others on either side of the tank. The heating pad also has a regulator.
I gave him a bath today which he seemed to enjoy and I dug around a bit and found poop in his cage. So it looks like all is currently well.

Thanks again for all your help!!!!