Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I have am adult female blood and she will not poop when feed normal rats. I soak her and nothing, I have to "force" poop her. I understand that it is normal for them to go months without a movement, but 4-5 months go by and nothing. However, when I feed her African soft furred rats she has no issues. Any ideas?

Thanks,
Matt

I don't know of any connection with ASF rats, but I don't know if it is a good idea to " force Poop " her. Blood pythons are know ( as you said ) for thier long periods without pooping. I dont keep track of how long mine go inbetween movements, but they can hold out for a fairly long time.

the forcing thing is a bad idea..... They can - and as you know, will go months without a movement. I dont think you have anything to worry about if your animal acting and looking healthy.
in regards to the asf rats thing.... maybe its the calcium content of the fur that helps it pass quicker.
so long as your blood is passing urates and doesn't look like sausage - bursting at the seems, it should be fine.

byron.d

With regards to blood pythons, defecation frequency seems to be related to a combination of feeding frequency, amount of food at each feeding, and water consumption. Water consumption is probably the most critical, and that can be directly related to the level of ambient humidity. I believe that in their natural high humidity environment in Indonesia, they inherently do not drink as frequently as is needed to maintain proper hydration as when they are in most low humidity captive environments in the US. In other words, they may not be physiologically regulated for high water intact to keep up the proper hydration in a low humidity environment. A lag time develops and they tend to get behind in their water intake and become dehydrated. Typically not a big issue during warmer, higher humidity weather, but can be a problem during the drier winter months. Maintaining higher cage humidity, especially during winter months, and frequent water bowl changes will help this condition considerably. I know my brongersmai defecate approximately once per month.

Kelly

I personally feel one of the biggest factors Kelly mentioned was water changes, my bloods LOVE fresh water, within 5 mins of changing my brongs waters they are drinking, but then I don't see them drink again until I change their waters again. My P. Brongersmai will defecate about once ever 1-2 months. Just keep an eye on the temps and humidity and you shouldn't really have much to worry about.
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Zack Greens Reptiles

Stop forcing "pooping" you could be damaging the snake insides. Bloods tend to hold in feces for a long time. I have heard a theory that since they are an ambush predator that they hold it in so they don't have to move from their hunting spot. My bloods and borneos sometimes go for a month or more then let it all out. As long as your snake is eatting well and is hydrated and has temps in the 80 degree range I think you should have no problem. I know some people who live in drier climates will soak their bloods once a week. I soak my bloods in winter and when they are having trouble shedding. Bloods are not hard to keep like some books say. I keep mine like I keep my other pythons and boas and rarely if ever have any problems.

I haven't forced poop in over two years. I am just starting to run low on soft furreds and was just wondering. She is a 06 and round ten pounds. Shes the only blood I have so was just also wondering how often and what size feeder to use.

Matt