Poop 101

Shadrach · #1 (**permalink**) 12-30-2007, 05:13 AM

Hey Guys this is a post I did some years ago and it seem there are a lot of newbie's having alot of questions about poo so I dug it up and decided to repost it here in the health section for future referance. If you have a better place for it please move it where you would like it!

Poo 101

Today our lesson will be on Poo. Remember there are no set rules for Poo. Ok
with that being said welcome to the wonderful world of keeping snakes. For a quick run
down here are a few of the most common questions asked by novice snake
keepers..............

1. Do snakes pee? Answer: Yes actually in 2 forms some liquid some solid those little
white poo looking things are called urates and they are supposed to be there.

2. Why is there hair in my snakes poo? Answer: Mostly because that is the one part of
the rat that's not needed and hard to digest, plus they like the way it tickles as it moves
along inside them.

3. My snake has runny smell poo why? Answer: What has the ol' boy been eating?
Anything out of the ordinary mouse or rat? What about a change from prekilled to
frozen? Or possibly a parasite such as worms. But nothing to get too worked up about
just yet. Probably a closer inspection of the poo is needed and a look back on what has
been eat by your legless friend. A little liquid is OK but don't wait around if it's runny
like bird poo have a vet check it out. Oh yeah the smell! Well need I say more it's poo!

4. It's been a week and my snake hasn't gone potty why? Answer: Now this is the cool
part see snakes don't need to go potty everytime they eat. Kind of like us when we eat. If
ya think about it do you poo everytime after you eat? NO you don't why because some
things take longer to digest than others, just the same as in snakes. Snakes have a much
slower metabolism than humans and will often hold on to meals for as long as they can in
order to get the most energy out of before discarding it.

5. Ok now it's been 2 weeks should I worry? Answer: Nope hang in there it'll be here
soon enough! Unless you're feeding King's and Corn's which have a faster metabolism
than Pythons and Boa's. But still for these species no need to worry just yet.

6. Man after 3 weeks and still nothing! Why? Answer: Could be most likely the urge
just hasn't hit him yet! More than likely it will hit when you're handling him right after
pulling that nice new fresh shirt or sheet set out of the dryer! Then again he may decide
to hold on to it for a while longer!

7. Dang it now it's been 4 weeks and nothing not even a fart! I'm starting to worry! Help
Please!? Answer: Hang in there your treading on thin ground be careful what ya wish
for! I promise it's on the way!

8. Week 5 and 6 and well??? Answer: BAM! Congratulations you are the proud
Mother or Father of a Whopping, Heaping, Steaming pile of snake poo! Ya didn't know
poo could be exciting waiting on did you!

9: Oh excuse me my snake still hasn't gone potty! What now? Answer: Now is the time
to review some things...

Substrate: Have you been feeding on loose substrate if so maybe the animal has ingested
some and impacted. If you've been feeding on aspen or coconut bark theres no time like
the present to switch to and empty tote or cardboard box for feeding.

Prey size: Have you been feeding prey equal or slightly larger than the girth of the
animal? If not it may be time to up the size. How would you like a Happy Meal if you
were starving, while your buddy has a Big Mac next to ya!

Temps: Review the caresheets for you specific animal the temps may be too low or too
high.

Impaction: One word none of like to hear but it does happen on occasion. To tell if
impacted gently feel along the belly for anything that resembles rocks or rodent skull's. If
any are present a warm soak and gentle massage may be in order and I mean for the snake
not you! Alot of times this will get things moving and nothing else needed. Worst case
scenario it may bee time for a trip to the vet if after a day or so nothing comes from the
warm soaks or belly rub's. But one word of advise be gentle, very gentle when working
on any impaction when rubbing! Imagine those sharp boogers you get in your nose!
When your digging them out and the sharp edges turn and drag along! Yeah exactly
OUCH! Would you want your belly feeling the same way?

Well I hope this helps you out I tried to list some of the most common asked question
about poo I'm sure there's some I've left out if so I'm sorry! If you can think of any
question to list and answer's with them please feel free to do so. Just remember one thing
before you go away from here when it comes to snakes..... Remember there are no set
rules for Poo.

morti · #2 (**permalink**) 12-30-2007, 04:33 PM

I'll tell you what I think of it...

I made it sticky.

Stargazer · #3 (**permalink**) 12-30-2007, 04:54 PM

I thought this was such a great post, I repped him for it. I don't rep people unless they really deserve it because one of my reps = 200 points (!).

Brandon28 · #4 (**permalink**) 12-30-2007, 09:01 PM

My A.R.A.V vet uses what seems to be an uncanny method of pooping snakes for a fecal exam. He kinda squeezes it out by applying pressure evenly down towards the vent...kinda like squeezing toothpaste from the tube. I have yet to try this, myself, but he is very gentle and smooth about it.

Does anyone know about a special technique or have any knowledge on the subject?

VexalUntil · #5 (**permalink**) 12-30-2007, 09:28 PM

I like the soaking method. Or also letting them outside for a crawl around works too.

Brandon28 · #6 (**permalink**) 12-30-2007, 10:09 PM

Soaking ALWAYS works for me. The only question is, how long will it take to poop. The other day I soaked Maynard for 3 hours before he finally gave in!

Shadrach · #7 (**permalink**) 12-31-2007, 02:24 AM

I had a Burm that came in once that you had to shake like a limp rope (kinda in waves) before he would relax enough to go.

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