Reptile & Amphibian Forums

My ball python escaped from his cage for 3 days. A few days after I found him & got him settled back in. I tried to feed him. He won't eat.He acts very shy. This is strange because I have never had trouble with him eating before. Plus, I noticed what I believe is diarreha in the cage. There wasn't alot, just a few smears.Has anyone had any experience with this? Thanks alot!

Hey man, I would love to help you, but I need a bit more info from YOU before I can.

Where did you find it? A damp, cold corner perhaps? Temperature, condition, surroundings of where you did finally find him helps a lot.

How long ago did you find him; how long has he been back in his cage?

Describe your cage, and how he escaped in the first place. Also, the temperature and conditions of the cage would be helpful.

Finally, how long have you kept this guy, and how old and how big is he? How often does he usually eat?

Once these questions are answered, most experienced keepers in this forum can give you a lot of good advice.

Without knowing any of these particulars, I am tempted to say that he is fine, but stressed, and that you should let him settle back into his cage for a week before offering him any food, or you could make the situation worse by stressing him further. If the "diarrhea" you are afraid of is just a smear, perhaps in/on/or around his water bowl, it may not be anything unusual. However, if the "diarrhea" is in fact a lump of jelly-like goo I would rush him to the vet. The details of your observations are critical here. Like I said, you need to give some more information before you expect to get any really useful advice.

Cheers,
~Rebecca
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0.1 Dumeril's Boa '04 (Courtney)
0.2 American Pit Bull Terriers (40lb darling lap dogs:Brandy&Mara)
1.2 Ball Pythons
[1.0 '05 Orange Hypo (Specter)]
[0.1 '05 Het Hypo (Sylvia)]
[0.1 '03 Normal (Sue)]

OK,
I found him in the china cabinet drawer. The room is usually air conditioned to around 72-75. He was out for 3 days. He's been back in his cage for a week.The diarreha is just a smear at his water bowl & on the newspaper, in a small streak. I got him in December. He is between 1 1/2 to 2 ft long. I'm not sure about his age. I think he is close to a year old. He usually eats with no fuss at all, once a week. His temps in his cage are between 85-73, humidity is right around 60%. I keep the cage clean with plenty of fresh water & his half log, which he loves! He has an under cage heating pad & a red basking light. I turn the basking light off at night & when I turn off the air conditioner. I'm afraid it will get too hot. We live in MS & it gets to the mid 80's inside(during the day)& mid 70's(at night) without the AC. He sheds about once a month, a complete shed. Thanks for your response. Please let me know if you need any more info.

It sounds like you shouldn't have anything to worry about. These guys can in fact go for a very long time without food. A week isn't all that long. You said you offered him food, and he refused. Just let him sit and settle in for another week, and then offer him food again. If anything, perhaps a slightly warmer basking spot may help him de-stress, but honestly, the temps you listed are pretty close to where I keep my own.

As far as the poop smear, I think all snakes do that; I can't keep track of how many species I have kept before my current small collection, but between numerous colubrid species, and the occasional small boa or python, I have seen that from all of them from time to time. It's fun to clean up, but no real cause for alarm. The bullsnakes and fox snakes I used to keep seemed to like to paint pictures with the stuff. It probably is not diarrhea.

After a week, if he doesn't eat, look him over well. Gently feel for any broken ribs (which would probably have been obvious before now), or perhaps signs of constipation (a mass just in front of the vent). After two weeks without eating, I still wouldn't worry unless he acts funny or looks sick somehow. Just try to keep the stress low for both him and you.

~Rebecca
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0.1 Dumeril's Boa '04 (Courtney)
0.2 American Pit Bull Terriers (40lb darling lap dogs:Brandy&Mara)
1.2 Ball Pythons
[1.0 '05 Orange Hypo (Specter)]
[0.1 '05 Het Hypo (Sylvia)]
[0.1 '03 Normal (Sue)]

I really appreciate it. It makes me feel better to have that reassurance.