How long should it take...

[korky_eb]

I've owned snakes since I was 12 and I just purchased my first "giant." I bought a male burm from the Creature Co. in November, and he also went straight to the vet when he got here. He's only about 3 feet long, but he's only crapped once since I've had him-- that's nearly 3 months. I'm wondering if he's constipated. I know it's a funny question, but please reply if you have information. None of my other snakes have ever had this problem, but because he is my first big snake I am worried. He is still eating regularly-- 2 mice a week. How long should it take him?

[telefrag]

It should NOT take that long, but if the snake is dehydrated, or has some type of parasite, that could potentially cause this. But an animal that eats regularly and doesnt have any waste can be a problem. Also, if the snake is not warm enough, he/she may not be digesting properly.

good luck. hope that helps some.

[Stormyva]

It sounds like you are not feeding it nearly enough food!
2 mice a week for a burm is not enough.
Without seeing him I would say that it should at least be on medium rats by now. Simple rule of thumb is one prey item equal in diameter to the thickest part of your snake once a week.

[telefrag]

It should still poop, even if the food items are too small.

[toker]

It should still poop, even if the food items are too small.

I was told once, that if there is nothing to come out, nothing does, if the items are that small, the critter is using up every possible thing in them mice. There might not be much left.

I would still have it checked out tough, better safe than sorry.

[Ed_r]

If the snake is underfed I more than likely wont poop. It uses all of the prey item. I made that mistake with my first clutch of boas. Bumped up the prey size and WHAM they were poopin machines. 2 mice is way too little prey for a burm, they have an incredibly fast growth rate, and Use allot of food to do it. Stay with one prey item of equal diamer of the snakes girth at its widest point, with burms maybe even a touch thicker.

I have also found with burms they need belly heat in order to poop regularly, and also I had to feed mine wet prey so he was very regular then. when i fed him dry prey he would get constipated.

[JuliusSqueezer]

Even if they use up everything...they won't use up the hair....but it may not be enough in there to push the hair-poop out...a burm should never even see a mouse. Start hatchlings on pink rats and stay with rats. There is a rat size for every burm till they need rabbits or goats or cows or elephants lol

[toker]

need rabbits or goats or cows or elephants lol

LOL

[telefrag]

They wont use up everything, there will still be urates and yes hair.
But there should be at least some waste product, despite any underfeeding.

A 3ft burm isnt as thick as we are picturing, a mouse isnt THAT small a meal for it, granted, its not the best choice, but its not too small, and remember he is giving the snake 2 of them.

About the only thing that will do is likely stunt the snakes growth.

[Dragon]

When our Domino was 3 feet long he was taking small Rats. By small, I mean about the size of a large adult mouse. One thing you haven't told us is what temps and humidity you are maintaining his enclosure at?

Paul