Reptile & Amphibian Forums

How are you doing? I am a new Normal Ball Python owner. He is almost a yearling and I've had him for a little over two weeks. I was hoping to get some info on how often BP's eliminate and how often to expect a shed to be normal. He is feeding on a hopper mouse every week but he's only pooped once. Anyway, thanks for the help.

First off - congrats!

Just like people, they will eliminate on different schedules. Mine happens to go 2-3 days after each meal. But they can go a few meals without producing feces. Urates you should see more often I believe.

It does sound as if his meals are too small. A hopper is not much of a meal, particularly for a yearling. My 9 month old eats 2 adult mice weekly and is about to go up to 3 a week. Feed prey that is equal to (or up to 1.5 times) the widest part of their body. That may explain why he's not gone much. Feed once every 5-7 days for young BPs and once every 7-10 days for adults.

Shedding depends also. The younger they are the more often they shed. I've heard once every 4-6 weeks or something like that. My guy has been shedding every 6-8 weeks.

Again, congrats. I have a caresheet of tips I've picked up from various message boards if you'd like a copy. It's a word doc. Just email me if you're interested - can never have too much info!
tigergenesis@comcast.net
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Check Out My Albums

1.0 Ball Python
"Aragorn"

1.0 Kenyan Sand Boa
"Gimli"

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"Indigo"

1.0 Saharan Sand Boa
"Frodo"

0.1 Rough-Scale Sand Boa
"Arwen"

0.1 Australian Cattle Dog/Pointer
"Kira"

Thanks for the scoop. I am going to see if he will eat again today. This is weird but "Aragorn" is the name my girlfriend picked for our BP as well.

Great minds think alike!

Just remember to not handle for at least 48 hours after feeding and while in shed. If you happen to have a large supply of hoppers, maybe try to see if he'll take more than one. I have a lot of adult mice that's why my Aragorn gets more than one as opposed to moving up to larger sized prey.

Got any pics to post?

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Check Out My Albums

1.0 Ball Python
"Aragorn"

1.0 Kenyan Sand Boa
"Gimli"

1.0 Mexican Black Kingsnake
"Indigo"

1.0 Saharan Sand Boa
"Frodo"

0.1 Rough-Scale Sand Boa
"Arwen"

0.1 Australian Cattle Dog/Pointer
"Kira"

I would start him on rat fuzzys or even pups.
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