Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Hi. I recently acquired a ~5 yr old ball python from a friend. I've had him for about three weeks now and have fed him two small rats twice so far: on 7/3 (Th) and 7/9 (W). I have not changed his care regimen (from the previous owner) other than feeding him slightly smaller rats.

After I fed him on 7/3, he was relatively active and pooped just fine five days later (though it was a bit stinky, is that normal? it was the first poop I came into contact with ). However, ever since I fed him on 7/9, he has not moved at all from his spot on the warm side of the tank. He has also not pooped yet. It has been a week.

The ambient temperature in the tank is in the high 80s during the day and the 70s during the night. He doesn't appear to be molting, and his physical appearance (scales, breathing) seems normal.

I would appreciate it if anyone could suggest what the problem might be and how to deal with it.

Also, is it usual practice to wait until the snake has pooped before 1) touching him and 2)feeding him? Don't worry, I have been avoiding doing both to avoid stressing him out, but I read a post in the archive from someone whose snakes did not poop for 2 or more weeks after feeding, so I was wondering.

Thank you for your time.

i am by no means a bp expert but i can try to help out from my personal experiences.
If he all of a sudden isnt moving around much perhaps he is about to shed? i found mine doesnt move much at all around shed time and the first thing i notice even before the eyes cloud over is a pink-ish belly. So maybe check for that to see if he's about to shed
As far as waiting for it to poop before feeding and handling, i don't really agree with that for adults, a hatchling maybe just because they process the food alot faster, but i'd think if you're waiting more than 10 days to feed the snake thats too long, i personally feed everybody i have once a week, and generally don't handle them until 24-36 hours after they ate and that has worked for me since day one

well hope i've been of some help
James

That is nothing to worry about. It may even be that the poo you saw was from a meal that he ate before you got him. From my experience, balls take quite a while from the time they eat till the time they deficate. Mine once went almost 3 months of semi-consistant eating before he dropped a load.

What size of rats are you feeding him? A good rule is that you should feed a prey item that is as big around as the fattest part of the snake's body. At that age you can feed every 10-14 days.

I have never heard that you should wait until the snake deficates to handle it. Although that would lessen you chances of getting pooed on . You should definately wait after feeding though. At least 24 hours, 48 is better.
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Oilfan94 - Big Mike