Reptile & Amphibian Forums

My Emerald generally will only defecate when I take him outside. I feed him every other week (he is around 2 years old at oldest) and he has gone 3 meals with no defecation and it is almost feeding day. I have been reluctant to take him out the past week because it has been cool outside, around 68-74 degrees. I know that these snakes should not go more than three meals without a bowel movement, so i would like to know if it would be better to take him out today (its about 70 degrees out) or if i should postpone the feeding for a few more days to see if the temperature drops. Your advice is appreciated, soon if possible.

Swim him in your bathtub-a very common practice of caninus keepers. The boa's undulations cause it to pass the fecal material. Works with any boid, really. Double check your humidity as a general precaution. I have done it in the past and worked most of the time. Also, if you present food prey items thawed and dry, try thawed and soaking wet. You can never get enough water in to a tree boa. Hope this helps.

Regards,
Jeff

Thats because you feed them every week. ETBs at this age are generally fed every 10-15 days.
Maybe she´s just not ready to defecate.

You can try to move her (with the perch) to your shower for a few minutes. They generally let the tail hang down after just a few minutes in order to start defecation. At this point you can move it over your toiled, so all the dirt will go straight down there, easy, quick and clean.

naw i feed him every other week, but i took him out last nite (he was hissing at first) then i took him in the steamed bathroom so he can get some warmth and humidity while he is getting excercise, then he defecated all over the floor(he tends to do that alot i think just to piss me off). thanks for the advice though.