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3 meals and no poop

Posted By:

ididnessie

In Relation To:

Lestat

I got my red tail boa at the begining of August. He eats like a champ and all of his temps and humidity are where they should be but I have not seen any poop in his home since the day I brought him home. I have fed him 4 pinkie rats in the past 4 weeks. I have seen some urates laying around but only once or twice. Is this okay? I am just worried he isn't digesting properally. He does seem to have gotten bigger but that may just be me think he has considering I didn't weigh him when I first got him. If it isn't normal what should I do? How often should he be pooping/peeing? He also just went from blue to clear. Not sure if that is helpful.


Points:	150
Topics:	General Health , Feeding , Digestive
Tags:	Boa, Defecation, Food, Poop, Redtailboa, Snake
Species:	Boas > Large Boas > Boa constrictor constrictor
Administrative:	Show/Hide

Accepted Answer

9/1/2012 3:11:45 PM

CreepyCrawly

That sounds fairly normal to me. With younger snakes they usually do defecate more often, but a lot of it depends on the prey size and type you're feeding, the age of the snake, the frequency of feeding, and the temperatures in the cage. Unless you can feel a lump or something in the belly to the vent or the snake looks swollen or has stiff movements, I wouldn't really worry too much. They're very efficient processors of rodents, and a lot of what winds up in the feces is hair. Feeding pinky rats doesn't leave much behind for the snake to poop out, so it may take some time for enough to build up inside for him to feel like he's gotta go. Also, a lot of times snakes won't defecate during a shed cycle, but will poop when they shed. So he may poop in a day or so when he sheds. It sounds like he's plenty hydrated, since he is passing urates regularly. I think he sounds just fine. Some of my boas defecate every couple of weeks, and others every few months. So long as the temps are good (not too hot or too cool), he's eating, and active, I would think he's probably fine, and not much to worry about.

Author Comment

9/1/2012 3:20:57 PM

ididnessie

Okay thanks! It seems as if I am worried over nothing. I tend do that over all my critters.
Just wondering...
If he was having issues would he still be eating and active?

Member Comment

9/1/2012 3:44:51 PM

Doomtrooper

No worries Boas like to take Huge dumps that will make you jump when you see the size of them !

Member Comment

9/1/2012 4:26:39 PM

CreepyCrawly

LOL! My boas don't take huge dumps - their poops are all ver proportionate (of course big boa will have big poop). If he was backed up or had a blockage he would probably stop eating, and probably would not be moving around very much. If he doesn't go after he sheds, and you're still concerned, you could soak the snake in shallow room temp water for an hour or so. That I think tends to be a solution for snakes that are constipated due to some form of dehydration, or sometimes just the way they move in the water might be what does it.

Member Comment

9/1/2012 4:48:08 PM

Cenobite

Doom is right they're massive. Like peoples.

Author Comment

9/1/2012 4:54:40 PM

ididnessie

Oh my haha well I suppose that is what I get for wanting a larger snake. I don't mind though and am looking forward to getting a new addition soon :) thanks again for all your help!

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