Diamond Python Urate Problems

[benjaffa]

when my python needs to go to the toilet he is having problems getting started, the white urates are hard and have a gravel like texture, once that is out all is normal. yesterday he tried and tried and tried some more until the point i manually massaged it out, once the white was out all the rest came out by itself. he only goes to loo when is is out in the sun crusing around the back yard. any insight as to why this could be happening would be much appreciated.

Thanks.

 

[Pythoninfinite]

It's quite normal for snakes to have a crap when out on the lawn. You need to be careful interfering with the process by massaging (forcing) it out - you can do damage to the delicate bowel. It will happen of it's own accord without your intervention in most circumstances

Jamie

 

[benjaffa]

i know they like to crap when on the lawn. the prob is the urates bing hard and gravel like when it first comes out. when my jungle goes the white is kinda squishy when first out like all other snakes i have had, i have only seen hard gravel like texture not squishy.

 

[Pythoninfinite]

Varies from animal to animal and time to time. Sometimes hard & a bit rough, and seems "brittle," other times it can be a lot softer. Quite normal to vary considerably.

Jamie

 

[benjaffa]

It is always the same eats only large mice one or two a week

 

[Wrightpython]

has he got a large bowl to soak in and hydrate himself thru skin

 

[Ramsayi]

has he got a large bowl to soak in and hydrate himself thru skin

Bit like old Mrs Marsh in the colgate ads with the liquid getting into this chalk?

 

[Wrightpython]

Bit like old Mrs Marsh in the colgate ads with the liquid getting into this chalk?

Exactly, i know your not under 30 now

 

[Ramsayi]

Exactly, i know your not under 30 now

Under 30? A distant memory I'm afraid :lol:

 

[cools2036]

That seems like a lot to feed a diamond python, they are cold climate snakes and in turn digest slower and eat less than a hotter climate snake, this too could be why the Urate is harder than the jungle as its slower in digestion meaning it stays in longer.
i feed my diamonds only 1 med Rat (adults) every 10+ days during summer and half that during winter if no hibernation.

 

[benjaffa]

I have tried to give him a big bowlbut he never soaks i see him drinking a bit though.
I remember the colgate add with the blue liquid and see snaps the chalk to show the liquied soak in.
His temps are 31 in is hide he also has a basking lamp and cold en is at 24 he spends most of the day basking then he go to his hide for a while and comes out for a cruise around when i turn the lights off. The mice i have been feeding lately are pieceslarge mouse which is a pregnant female i prefer do littles adult mice but i have to travel to get them. hope any of this info may help some one shed some light.

 

[Ramsayi]

I have tried to give him a big bowlbut he never soaks i see him drinking a bit though.
I remember the colgate add with the blue liquid and see snaps the chalk to show the liquied soak in.
His temps are 31 in is hide he also has a basking lamp and cold en is at 24 he spends most of the day basking then he go to his hide for a while and comes out for a cruise around when i turn the lights off. The mice i have been feeding lately are pieceslarge mouse which is a pregnant female i prefer do littles adult mice but i have to travel to get them. hope any of this info may help some one shed some light.

I doubt very much that water would be absorbed through their skin.Much better if the cause is from dehydration would be to ensure the snake has access to fresh clean water daily to encourage them to drink more.Once water warms and goes stale they tend to not drink it.Offering food wet may help also.

 

[cools2036]

Your temp in hide is also too high, dehydrating the snake. As I said before diamonds are "cold" climate snakes and generate heat by basking their black skin in sunlight. All their hides in nature are colder in climate. I keep mine at 26 in hide and 30 basking.