Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Hello,
I understand that adult ball pythons often go a long time between movements (upwards of 6 weeks) but I am wondering about what could be considered irregular in young (>3-4 months) animals. I have a CB07 normal female that eats a f/t rat pup consistently every 5-7 days since August but has not defecated since August 17th (when I acquired her). She is passing urates just fine. I have given her a couple of lukewarm soaks in an attempt to move things a long but no dice.
Standard husbandry (mid to high 80s warm end, high 70s to low 80s cool end, paper towel substrate, access to water, two hides, etc.).
Thanks!

does it look like theres alot built up?if not dont worry.

has she shed? usualy sheds are followed by poo
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jake barney

my addiction:
1.1 ball pythons
0.2.1 corns
1.0 cal king
0.0.1 wc garter

Like goregrind asked, does it look like there's a lot built up? Not just a general bulge but a painful sort of blockage? If not, the snake's probably fine.

You could try upping the size/number of food per feeding and lessening how often you feed. I have a young pastel born in August that's defecated once since I got him...right after he shed. You might find that once you increase the size of the meal, that might trigger a shed, and with it a poop.

If the snake still doesn't poo after it sheds, you might want to call up a vet and see what they say.

~jenny
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"Polysyllabism in no way insures that what you're saying is actually worth being heard." - Blake (an e-friend of mine)

"I have never made but one prayer to god, a very short one: "O lord, make my enemies ridiculous." And he granted it." - Voltaire

All good advice, but might I add that if there seems to be no excessive thinckness in the rear third of it's body it's possible that it's just completely digesting what it eats and using it for all the nutrients it can get for growth and such. When young, snakes in general seem to do this quite often. Just my thoughts.

Quig
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Don't interupt me when I'm talkin' to myself

I was in the same situation and posted here. Basically everyone that replied said I probably had nothing to worry about. My snake shed a couple of days ago and shortly after she dropped a huge load. She is a little over three months old and went about 6 or 7 weeks without pooping.

Babies generally stick to the same schedule as adults -- every couple of weeks. Mine usually only poop when they shed.

As a side note, your temps aren't quite right. The warm side should be 90-92 and the cool side should be 80-82. Anything cooler and her metabolism and digestion will slow down -- which can also affect her eating and defecation habits.
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~* Jen *~

Pink Lady Constrictors

Thanks all!
She has yet to shed and does not look backed up at all. The pups are appropriate for her now (about the thickness of her at the widest point) but I will be moving her up to weans soon. I will continue to wait her out...

JenHarrison, do not believe everything you read on the internet. Those temperatures (especially your hot end, but also your cool end) are too high, especially for hatchlings. These temperatures encourage putrefaction and not proper digestion. The ideal balance is one that allows digestion to operate efficiently (within the range of enzymatic activity) but not too high so as to cause rot to occur quicker than digestion. Temperatures above 90°F are just outside of this ideal range. Hence why experienced breeders like the Barkers recommend a basking area of 85-88°F (somewhat cooler for hatchlings, closer to mid 80s).