simple question...how often does a bhp take a dump?

[Retch]

how often does a bhp take a dump etc?
i don't think mine has for a few weeks, i feed him weekly.

cheers

 

[Darlyn]

I take mine outside for a wriggle in the grass about 6 days after feeding and he goes everytime.
Only misses when he's shedding.

 

[leamos]

One feed equals one dump 5 - 8 days after feeding

 

[Bluetongue1]

It can vary and for some reason some BHPs and Womas seem good at holding on.

The usual time span is around 1 week. Up to 2 weeks is not a concern. Around 2 and a half weeks I would suspect constipation and would also be checking for lumps in the lower abdomen indicating impacted faeces. I have known a BHP to go three week and then take a normal dump - but that was clearly unusual.

Blue

 

[Raddy318]

the grass trick works!
i wouldnt feed him untill he has done one to be honest, or your not giving him big enough feeds for him to actually build up some crap

 

[Retch]

he's taken a "leak" kinda weekly, and it has a bit of what looks like "number 2" with it, but not much. that sound right?
thanks for the responses to guys!

 

[stimigex]

One question missed so far is,- How old is the BHP and what is it being fed (size wise)?

 

[Sezzzzzzzzz]

As stimigex said, it depends on the size of the snake and the size of the food... if you are feeding pinkies or fuzzies, there is no hair and not very much for the snake to "release"...

 

[Retch]

Legs is about 20-22 months old and is eating 1 fuzzy a week at the moment sound good?

 

[chase77]

Without knowing its size or history wouldn't a 20 month old BHP be on small adult rats at least. a fuzzy doesn't seem like enough

 

[Retch]

cheers man, thats what i needed to hear, i was just going on what different shops have told me thus far.
I'll up the intake and see how it goes, he has no dramas at all chompin down a fuzzy.
he's about 5-6 feet long

 

[Bluetongue1]

At nearly 2 years of age, the snake shold be on fortnightly feeds of between 10% and 20% of its body weight. The white material plus liquid is termed "urates". These are formed where an animal has more protein in its diet than it can use for new growth, repair and maintenance and so it removes the nitrogen from protein (as urates) which leaves carbohydrate that is used for energy. Most carnivores that are not going through a major growth spurt will do this. The amount of indigestible matter - fur, skin and very solid bone, is what makes up the faeces (No. 2).

There is actually no need to wait for the passing of a previous meal's wastes before you fed your animal again. Just keep a note of feeds and dumps and when it gets to the well past 2 weeks stage, then take a look at the animal to determine if if there is a problem.

Somethinh I forgot to mention in my pevious post. Snakes do not have the same amount of musculature in their gastrointestinal tube that humans have. So they need to use objects and exercise to help the matter in the tube move along. I always suggest they have a forked branch with a bit of a curve, in the cage as furnishing. It sits in like a tripod, nice and stable, with a bit of elevation that the snake can climb over. The alternative is a bit of exercise on the back lawn.

Blue

 

[mikey_mike]

helpful thread - ta

I've been having similair anxieties about my Darwin Carpets recent absence of poo - for the last 2 weeks no urates, no fur, nada.

From reading this most helful thread I deduce that this can be normal in a rapidly growing snake & I should just chill out a bit. 2 questions though -
if he were constipated would lumps be apparent? I've had a very thorough examination & all looks normal.


Also - is it worth having a sticky on snake poo? Seems like these q's come up again & again.


Good luck with your snakes defecation.

 

[Sezzzzzzzzz]

was just sitting here reading this holding Sheldon, my DP, when i looked down he hadd done a big poo on me!!! i have been christened... exactly 5 days after he ate...

 

[Retch]

all good. he laid a cable, i think i might just up his food size soon.
but he sunk a battleship this morning!

 

[Darlyn]

Def up his food size thats a miniscule meal for a BHP of that age. I feed mine 150 gram rat
every 10 days (would normally be fortnightly but it's been really hot up here lately)

 

[Cockney_Red]

put him on mediums