How can I help my ball python deficate and shed?

Question

I have had my ball python for a little over a month. It is about 2 1/2 feet long and it eats adult mice. So far it has eaten twice, 9 days apart and it will only eat white male live mice. I check its tank everyday and change its water daily. It has not deficated or shed yet and I am not sure if it should have done so already and I don't know what I can do to help.

I also check it often for parasites. It seems healthy. Lately I have noticed a bit of swelling and a reddish color just above its anal spurs and I don't know if it is something to worry about.

Answer 1

I would expect that it will start a shed cycle soon. If you keep accurate records, you may begin to see a pattern after a few sheds. Of course, food intake, temperature, and other factors will affect the frequency of shedding, so I don't expect you will ever be able to predict exactly when it will happen.

As with any animal, concerns about health I would call a Vet or Animal Clinic and ask questions.

Answer 2

http://exoticpets.about.com/cs/pythons/a...

this should help answer some of your questions!

also, if you notice that there is stuck on shed or he hasn't shed in the proper time as recommended, try upping the humidity levels a bit, and soaking him with a warm wet towel twice a week. i find it helps my reptiles in the drier months.

:D good luck!

Answer 3

First of all if it is 2 and a half feet long, you need to feed it small or maybe even medium rats. A mouse is too small and if it doesn't get enough to eat it will be a while before it poops. Sometimes snakes do get constipated. Use your finger to feel just above the anal plate for a hard knot. If found, use a plastic syringe to squeeze a teaspoon of KY jelly in its a**s. Only do this once, if it doesn't help with constipation, take your pet to the vet. As for as shedding goes, snakes shed as they grow, so the more you feed it, the sooner and more often it will shed. To help it shed better, spray it once or twice a day with a spray bottle that has ONLY HAD WATER IN IT. Don't clean out a bottle that has had a chemical in it such as 409 or Mean Green bottle. Any more questions please send me an IM, I'll be happy to help and good luck.

Answer 4

try putting your ball python in a bath with luke warm water. fill the tub to where the snake isn't drowning but can still swim freely. for yours, I would say to 1 1/2 to 2" of water. the warm water always makes my ball python defecate. if it does, take it out immediately and clean the tub. you don't want your snake to swim in its own p**p!

if this doesnt work, take it to a vet.

hope this helps!