Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I just bought a 6 month old Kingsnake. She was fed two fuzzies on Monday morning (I brought her home Monday afternoon), and Wednesday morning she defacated while I was handling her. Her poop was like a projectile diarrhea, half solid / half liquid.

I was a little alarmed at the sight of it, because I've read that diarrhea can be a problem with baby snakes. This being my first experience with a snake, I wasn't sure what is and what isn't diarrhea. Any help would be hugely appreciated.

Well there really isn't a lot of solids to a pinkie, if the snake is eating two, I think you should move up to one fuzzy as soon as possible maybe even a small hopper. The stool should have more solids and be dark, not runny and clear, this could indicate a problem. IMO. A six month old getula king snake can handle a larger food item, most definitely if frozen/thawed. What kind of king?

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Todd Hughes

I'm likin' that photo......
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Jerry Kruse

And God said, "Let there be zonata subspecies for all to ponder..."

I need Joe's plunger, she's skipping rats altogether and moving up to a wallaby next!
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Todd Hughes

Thanks for the reply.

You must have misread: in the original post I said she was eating fuzzies. She's currently eating two fuzzies every 5-7 days.

She's a Brooksi / Goini. Thanks again.

my bad, does it smell more than bad, you know, retched? Hard question, lol, smell your snakes poop!
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Todd Hughes

Haha, to be honest, I didn't smell anything abnormally bad. I'm used to lizards and it smelled no better or worse than a wet lizard poop.

Is it possible that she was just nervous? It was her first time being out in a room full of people, and she was getting quite alot of attention at the time.

Is it possible that she was just nervous? It was her first time being out in a room full of people, and she was getting quite alot of attention at the time.

That would be my guess...you did say you were handling her and while I don't have personal experience with goini I do know that other kings are real nifty with the defecate spray when they feel like it.
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/scott

LOL, thanks!

Since you just brought her home and this was after her first meal with you you might want to let her alone after her next feeding until she poops just to be safe.

They can be flighty for awhile when adjusting to new surroundings and all that as I'm sure you've figured out by now so hopefully that's all it is.

Good luck!
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/scott

I doubt it's anything to worry about. Snake poop is rarely "solid". It has solid and liquid components and if the snake goes while you're handling it, it will seem very running. Just continue to monitor it but it's probably fine.

I will definitely do that. Thanks again for your advice, man!

There's the million dollar info, first time out around lots of people = spray 'em all!
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Todd Hughes