Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Do snakes urinate? lol

Snakes have cloacas, like birds (it's thought they both had a common ancestor). Birds don't urinate. Does this mean that snakes don't urinate either?

I've read in articles (internet based) that they do, and I've read in others that they don't. (shows how reliable the net is). I just want to know if I can just scoop out the faeces (I use kitty litter substrate) when I see them and not worry about it otherwise?
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1.0 Spotted python (Harry)
0.0.1 Stimsons python (Garry)
1.1 Evil dictators (Mum & Dad)

They urinate. Sometimes a lot. And it smells just like you'd imagine urine to smell.

They also produce a substance called urates, which is a hard, white, chalky substance. I've heard mixed things about what this substance is (as you said, the internet is horrifically unreliable) but it's important to make sure the snake is passing its urates successfully, as a blockage is of course bad for the snake.

...Also, when it comes to cleaning, I like to change my snakes' paper even if they just spill their water bowl, as excess humidity can lead to mould and bacterial growth.
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Kitt