snake likes to poope outside

[PleaseHelpMe]

About a month ago I got a ball python and I'm absolutely in love. The little guy is healthy and happy, and eats like a champ. The only problem is when it comes to getting out what went in. He doesn't poop in his vivarium. Instead whenever I take him out, after about 10-15 minutes he usually decides to let go of his last meal. I would be perfectly fine with this (I'm willing to clean it up), if the urine didn't leave a strong smell behind that seems impossible to clean up. I tried things from soap and water to vinegar, but nothing really works. A few warhammer miniatures have fallen victim to this mess as well. Any idea as of how to clean it up, and more importantly how to get him to empty his guts in the enclosure?

[gerguera]

Glad to hear you are enjoying your new pet
Questions: How old is your ball python? How much does he weigh? How often does he eat and what are you feeding him?
How long do you handle him for? Does he go back into his cage after pooping?

As far as cleaning is concerned I would think anything sold to eliminate odors for dogs should work. I'm wondering if he is pooping due to anxiety from being handled? I've only had this happen once and at the time I was working on removing a stuck shed which required me to be more controlling over my boy Axel which eventually led to him emptying his bowels I assume due to the stress.
Do you wait at least 3 days after feeding before handling?
Kind of an extreme suggestion but I have experienced several of my ball pythons moving their bowels while being soaked. You could try soaking him/giving him a warm bath for a while before handling him? Might help contain the mess.

[Gocntry]

My snakes like to go on you every now and then, I found if I wait 3 days after feeding I usually don't have that issue

And I also went to my local thrift store and bought a couple blankets, sheets ect, I use those when I holding the snakes or letting them move around

If they get soiled I either wash them or hose them off or just toss them when they get gross and get a couple more.

I found after they get a year or so old, I rarely have that issue anymore.

[PleaseHelpMe]

This particular incident was I think about 4 days after feeding him. He is about 3-4 months old I'm guessing. I didn't check his weight yet (although I probably should). I feed him a smaller sized hopper once every week. He seems to have a very calm demeanor and eats like a champ so I don't know if it would be stress. Then again I have next to 0 experience. Last time I handled him for 30 minutes. Sometimes it is as little as 15 minutes, sometimes it goes up to an hour. Besides getting a little spooked when I touch his tail and he doesn't see me (which I usually do after he poops so he doesn't smear it all over the place) he doesn't show many, if an signs of stress (that I noticed).

[Bogertophis]

Actually, it's very simple: Your snake doesn't move around so much when he's in his vivarium, but when you handle him, the greater amount of motion, plus the pressure YOU are putting on his body in the natural course of handling him are just naturally pushing the waste toward the "exit". Get it? It's like taking your dog for a walk, the motion sets the waste in motion too.

In his home, he'll eventually expel wastes, it's just taking longer- but when you come along & handle him at the right time, you're causing the "inspiration", lol. So from now on, PLAN for this. And if you look at his tail when you pick him up- if it's a little puffy just above his cloaca, that's a clue that he'll need to go pretty soon, & that you'll want to pay attention to where you handle him. It's up to you, after all. But you can't expect him to hold it with all your handling & the extra motion.

It's normal for a snake to be a little spooked when you touch their tail...or their neck/head, for that matter. Those are places that predators tend to grab & he's still learning about you. Snakes all rely on their instincts to survive, & the only thing that normally picks up a snake in the wild is a predator that's about to eat them! So yes, handling might be adding a little anxiety- just be patient & considerate.