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my snake smells like poop

stkkts Jun 18, 2003 03:40 PM

Is there a reason for this? Its a ball python. he doesnt smell so strongly that i can smell him from far away, only when his body is close to my nose. his tank is clean, but the bedding is about 2 months old. is it time to be changed? how can i make him not smell? is this a sign of anything?

Replies (7)

bazmonkey Jun 18, 2003 04:20 PM

I completely change the bedding at least every 3 weeks, in addition to spot-cleaning and "freshening up" the bedding with some new bedding (most of my snakes are kings, so I'm used to more frequent poop).

Does the tank smell better or worse than the snake? Have you tried just giving it a bath?

stkkts Jun 18, 2003 04:49 PM

the tank doesnt smell at all. and the snake, his smell is only noticeable when im really close to him. maybe ill try giving him a bath, and definately clean the tank this weekend.

how do you bathe a snake?

mykee Jun 18, 2003 05:22 PM

Get water, preferrably from the tap, about 80-84 degrees, fill your tub about 5 inches. Put your snake in the water, and throw in a rubber duckie. No soap. No bleach, no nothing, just water. When you take him out, dry him off, WITH the scales, with a piece of paper towel.

babysdaddy85 Jun 18, 2003 06:21 PM

Correct me if Im wrong, but cant you also put baby oil on your snake after a bath? I heard this makes it smell good, and also moisturizes the skin, and helps with shedding. I have done this for about a year with my BP, and she is really doing good. Dont use a lot of it, just a real small amount, and rub it in really good.

Sonya Jun 18, 2003 08:05 PM

>>Correct me if Im wrong, but cant you also put baby oil on your snake after a bath? I heard this makes it smell good, and also moisturizes the skin, and helps with shedding. I have done this for about a year with my BP, and she is really doing good. Dont use a lot of it, just a real small amount, and rub it in really good.

not the best thing for a snake. I have seen boas drop scales from being rubbed with it to kill mites. Stick with veggie oil....I like olive oil. But I see no point in putting anything in the bath water. As soaking will hydrate it and make it all supple naturally.
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Sonya

meretseger Jun 18, 2003 04:56 PM

He might be musking on you. If snakes are nervous they can get pretty stinky, and sometimes they don't leave a liquid. At least that's my experience.

sparke303 Jun 18, 2003 10:59 PM

I've never experienced this with BP's. Gophers, yes...BP's, not in my opinion. All of my pythons smell "poop-like" when they are within a couple days of letting loose. If he doesn't poop in the next day or so, then worry about it. Once it poops, it shouldn't smell any more. That is, unless it pooped in its tank and slithered through it, as we all know BP's often do!

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