Why you no poop?

[Mrr]

So my 3 year old pied female hasn't pooped in a ridiculously long time - possibly over a month now. One time I entered her enclosure to a very poop-like foul smell, and soaked paper towel (her current substrate), but nothing else. I know they'll go when they need to, but she's had at least 2, possibly 3 meals now with no waste. Should I try soaking her?

[Craiga 01453]

Does she have "sausage butt"...
Is her back section by her cloaca looking like an over stuffed sausage?

[Bogertophis]

A month is not a "ridiculously long time" for a snake. Snakes conserve energy & fluids in nature...they're designed to waste nothing & survive fasting, so unless your snake shows an obviously swollen area above
the cloaca, I would not advise soaking her. Not that it will harm anything, assuming you stay right there & make sure the water is not too deep (less than the snake's height, so it doesn't have to swim) & is of the
right temperature (measure it...most ppl get the water too warm for snakes, because it doesn't feel warm to us unless it's over our body temperature of roughly 98.6*, which will be TOO HOT for a snake). The only
'harm' from soaking a snake is the stress it usually causes them. Stress is usually best avoided for snakes like BPs because they are easily stressed into not eating.

A snake that is showing "sausage butt" (noticeably swollen above cloaca) may defecate easier if actually allowed to swim in several inches of water (in bathtub) but you must be right their supporting their body so
they can "swim in place" until they get relief; if needed, this is an effective way to help a snake expel waste, but most do not need the help. Be prepared for a nasty bathtub to clean too, if you do this.

The "foul smell" might have been from the urates passed, but many snakes will also pass gas from time to time...fyi. Sometimes the "music" will tip you off, lol.

Bottom line: not unusual at all for a snake to eat a number of meals without defecating. Very normal. Your BP is eating...be happy!

[jmcrook]

My 10yr old male goes a handful of times, maybe a bit more often, per year. Your snake is fine


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[Mrr]

Thanks everyone! I've heard that they'll defecate less frequently with age, I'm just not used to her going this long in between bowel movements.. typically she goes within a week or so of eating, so this was new for me.

When I took her out yesterday she definitely looked "full" right above her cloaca, so I'll give her another few days (a week?) to pass it before attempting to soak perhaps.

At least now I know not to be overly concerned if she takes a while between bowel movements. Thank you again!

[Bogertophis]

Thanks everyone! I've heard that they'll defecate less frequently with age, I'm just not used to her going this long in between bowel movements.. typically she goes within a week or so of eating, so this was new for me.

When I took her out yesterday she definitely looked "full" right above her cloaca, so I'll give her another few days (a week?) to pass it before attempting to soak perhaps.

At least now I know not to be overly concerned if she takes a while between bowel movements. Thank you again!

They "defecate less frequently with age" because their prey is likewise more mature & takes longer to digest. Their bodies have evolved to make the most of their meals & it takes as long as it takes.

Handling a snake tends to shift things around some & promote defecation to some degree, so you may learn (as many of us have) to "handle with care" (or should I say "caution") when you see some swelling above
their cloaca. Forget this, and someday your snake will "remind you"...

[Mrr]

Ohh I've definitely made that mistake before! Luckily it happened on my niece instead of myself haha. Ever since then, as a general rule I tend not to take her out if I notice that "full" look anymore 😉😆

Thank you for educating/easing my mind a little. I've had ball pythons when I was a bit younger, but I'd only ever had adults.. Emma (who granted is 3), is the first that I've had since a hatchling, so I'm getting used to the various changes as she grows. Thank goodness for this site haha

[CALM Pythons]

So my 3 year old pied female hasn't pooped in a ridiculously long time - possibly over a month now. One time I entered her enclosure to a very poop-like foul smell, and soaked paper towel (her current substrate), but nothing else. I know they'll go when they need to, but she's had at least 2, possibly 3 meals now with no waste. Should I try soaking her?

3 of mine piss once to every couple weeks, one of mine poops every other week, the other once a month or so, and my 3rd every 2 months. Think of how many Rats are stored in them after 2 months... its normal unless you have a unhealthy snake thats having other issues that concern you. The one that goes every couple months makes a mess like a Grate Dane once it goes.


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