Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I have read articles that say that ball pythons take a dump once a week after each feeding. Mine has never had such a regular cicle, but lately he's been "going" only about once every 4 to 5 weeks, usually the day after he sheds if he's in a shed cycle at that time. Is this normal, or should I be concerned with blockage?? I keep him on aspen shavings, but I don't feed him in the cage...he has a big water bowl to soak in...I have provided a humidity box but he never uses it at all, I can put fresh moss in there and tell weeks later that he has never used it. He is about 2 years old and about 3 feet long, very gentle and calm, never acts as if something is wrong. I'm probably just over stressing myself about it (they say it is easy to stress out a snake, but I always seem to be the one stressed out from them!)but I would like someones opinion. Thanks.

the articles were wrong. Your snake is normal.
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"yeah, eagles have feathers hanging off of them too and I don't smoke --- out of them!" PS it was a dream catcher!

Thanks...I guess I worry too much

If what you are describing is pretty much established as normal for your snake, then definitely don't worry.

Both of my BP females defecate like clockwork on the fourth day after they eat; one in the same corner of her cage every time, the other could go anywhere. My male is always kinda hit-or-miss on timing. That's just how snakes are - none of them can be expected to be just like every other snake.

To set your mind at ease, here are some things to keep in mind if you do suspect a blackage:

If you are worried about a blockage, palpate your snake - that is, while handling your snake, gently feel the area of its body just a few inches anterior (towards the body) to the vent. What you should check for is a mass just before the vent. A lot of times, this feels like the last 2 inches or so of the snake before the vent is "thick."

If you feel a mass, it would be a good idea to soak your snake in some mildly warm water - somewhere around the point where you can just detect that it is warm, maybe around 80 degrees F or so. To do this, I use the tupperware bins with locking lids that I feed my snakes in. I fill them with about an inch or so of water, put the snake in the bin, and lock down the lid. I'll usually leave them to soak like that for about 20 minutes. Usually, that is enough to get a snake to have a bowel movement, but if it doesn't work, gently handle the snake in the water, and palpate the area again. You can apply a small amount of gentle pressure to push the mass towards the vent, but DON'T force it! If that doesn't work, just put the snake back in his cage, and try again the next day until you get the results you are hoping for.

You should only really get concerned when a mass detected just in front of the vent feels particularly large, dry, and hard - and you think the snake can't pass it on its own. That's when you talk to a vet.

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