Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I've had my python for about 2 weeks, it has had 3 small meals, it's about 5 months old, Female.... temps at 80-87 for day and 75ish for night.... The day I bought her she had pooed at the store I saw it in her "house" and it hadn't been there the day before when I was contimplating the purchase.... Since then NO poo... Soaked her and soaked her just don't know what to do.. how long should I let this go on before taking her to the vet? Is this normal....It's my first snake ever... the last dates for her poo and meals are as follows...

at the pet shop on 9-1 she had a 2 week old rat pup
9-12 I bought her and fed her a rat pup and she pooed earlier in the day
9-17 rat pinkie
9-20 2 hoppers.......
thank you very much for your help in advance...

don't worry about it, they go when the go. Some go once a week some go weeks before they go. What size food are you feeding it and how often? you don't have to soak the snake everything should be fine.

Misty is exactly right, don't worry about it, it will go. Like Misty said, some will go once a week or more, and some will hold out for many weeks. Most of mine (small growing ones) go an average of once a week, and some will hold it until they look like they are going to explode.

Your temps are good, but it wouldn't hurt to bump up the hot-spot to 90-95F.
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Chad Bachman

I have increased the temps in the warm side to about 92-93 ish and it should level out at around 95... I was really worried, but you guys have made me feel better... I have tons of experience with torts and lizards... they don't usually go this long with out poo-ing... Lilly (the snake) has been eating 2 week old rat pups and hoppers.... I was planning on getting her a larger rat pup (one with it's eyes almost open) this friday for her food, but I was afraid to feed her until she goes.... Should I just let her eat anyway? Also, what is the substrate of preference? I have been keeping her on aspen and feeding her in a smaller tote so she doesn't eat the shavings, I was thinking about astro turf but how well will my under tank pad work with that I donno... thanks!

des

I would still feed once a week. I feed all my babies 2x's per week, and the ones that only go every couple to three weeks get fed 1x per week.

Aspen is great, but a little dry. If your animals don't have shedding problems because of it, it's one of the best substrates available. I have always fed animals that were kept on aspen right on it and never had a problem (and most times they would swallow some with the food). I have never seen anyone provide any proof that aspen is dangerous if injested, and thousands of people use it & feed on it. Corncob & cypress have been known to cause impaction, so I would stay away from them.

Hope this helps, good luck.
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Chad Bachman

...so that you have a thermal gradient with the warm end of the cage (preferably under belly heat) at about 95F. This is a must, if not you are setting your snake up for pneumonia later this winter.

ANY substrate can cause impaction, so I recommend paper as a substrate. It is HANDS DOWN the most sanitary of ANY substrate. PERIOD. I use unprinted newsprint or kraft paper. Cedar mulch seems to work well but is more labor intensive.

Defication is a sporadic event with BP's, some specimens cutting loose only after several meals, others after only a few meals. Specimens tend to be fairly consistent. It is important that water always be available.

Frequency of meals is of less importance compared with total calories over time. BP's tend to be seasonal feeders so it's important to feed well when the specimen will feed. As a rule if the specimen will feed then feed. You never know when the snake decides to fast for 9 months.

Scott J. Michaels DVM
Serpent City

I'm sure you meant Cypress mulch, but I have heard of quite a few cases of impaction from Cypress, and never one from Aspen. I know any snake can become impacted from a loose substrate, and even when kept on newspaper (which I use) if they do not have adequate hydration & the stools harden.

Have you seen impacted animals from injesting Aspen? If so I would like to hear about it.

Thanks in advance.
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Chad Bachman

np

...I've seen it in the veterinary lit. I'll try to get the citation for you. Personally I havn't seen it. SJM

Thanks for looking for it even, but I am not interested in Lizards/Chelonians that have been impacted by it. I am only concerned about the possibilities of snakes being impacted by aspen.

Thanks again,
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Chad Bachman