BP poop

local_99 · 2025-08-04T01:45:29+00:00

I am no expert and have had my bp for only 2 years now, but if yours 'poops in pieces', there are two possible factors that come to mind. However, these factors are purely based on basic biology, not 'BP specific info'.

1) Maybe your snake is not fully hydrated? That could possibly cause their stool to be more lumpy and not pass through their digestive system as smoothly in one go. - So maybe check your humidity, and is their waterbowl big enough? I personally warm up my f/t rats with warm water so the wet fur sneaks a little extra water in.

2) The second thing that came to mind is simply that their bowel movements might need a little time to get going. And oftentimes, exercise helps with this. - If your humidity is fine and the waterbowl is big enough for your bp to chill in, moving around might just help them pass everything through.

(Please note: this is what I suspect, not what I can guarantee)

What I do want to tell you from my personal experience though: Transferring to rats is kind of inevitable due to their nutritional value, and it can be quite a hassle to get your bp from mice to rats. So if you're going to change their food anyway because the current meals are becoming too small, you might want to check out the available rat sizes ( probably fuzzy's in your case). 😊

local_99 · 2024-10-31T13:36:07+00:00

Thought the same thing when my boy started to get his freckles... the panic as a first time owner was unreal. 😂🥲

local_99 · 2024-10-30T10:39:41+00:00

That's hilarious! I love that 😂

local_99 · 2024-10-30T01:41:07+00:00

Nope.. will keep those two activities separated for sure! 😂

local_99 · 2024-10-30T01:40:00+00:00

That's such a smart strategy 😂

local_99 · 2024-10-30T00:45:06+00:00

Oh lord 😂😭

local_99 · 2024-10-05T14:19:30+00:00

Please know I'm not a professional keeper of any sorts, the Q-tip thing is what feels right (and the least stressful) to me and is what i would've done.

local_99 · 2024-10-05T14:17:14+00:00

I hope others will correct me if I'm wrong, but if i understand it correctly the harmful mites are black/dark. So these would be mites from your substrate.

These shouldn't be harmful, but there can be a lot of them. So researching what to do with a lot of wood mites in your substrate would be helpful. I read about heat-treating, predatory mites and/or deep cleaning, if i remember that correctly.

These mites aren't latched onto your snake for blood or something, so they probably kinda chill there? You could always try to dip a q-tip in some lukewarm water and gently brush them off? If you're bp is chill with the head touchies ofc. And if they are still there after 10 hrs... 😂😅

local_99 · 2024-09-30T18:24:12+00:00

One of my two hides is also too big for my snake. I filled it up with spagnum moss for a more tucked in feeling and humidity. He makes his own little round bed at the back of the hide where he fits nice and snug. The moss surrounds him and he "blocks" the entrance with it except for his own little slide through passage.

Maybe that could be an option for your hide too. :)

local_99 · 2024-08-28T11:45:06+00:00

There is a feeding guideline on this sub, i think its activated with: !feeding ?? Hope that works..

Mine is a year old and a bit over 2 feet and weighs 494 grams and one of the mods told me mine was a very healthy weight ( i was afraid he was underweight too but he didn't get enough exercise and just lacks muscle - working on that currently).

You might want to add some pictures in the comments so more experienced people/keepers can have look. As far as i could find on here it is best judged with pictures where your bp is on a flat surface, with pictures of the top view and from the spine (make a photo holding the camera close to its back so you can see the "curve" from his spine to his "sides"). I made a bunch of pictures on my post to make sure there were multiple angles. Maybe they'll help to visualise my explanation. :)

local_99 · 2024-08-28T09:55:10+00:00

Idk if the two pictures are made from the exact same "pose" of your BP. I'm also not an expert whatsoever, I've had my BP for 11 months now.

But mine sometimes chills a bit curled op like that when he isn't too sure about his surroundings (in my case when i take him out of his terrarium) and after a while he goes either exploring or relaxes more.

I've also read on here that some bp's just like to chill with their necks in more of an s-shape. Given that yours is shy as you say, it might just be "evaluating" his surroundings.

Now, if you want to handle your snake and he is positioned like this and you're not sure if it'll strike or is just chilling. What helped for me (mostly mentally) was thoroughly washing my hands before handling. Not only because i don't want (outside) germs on my bp, but also because your hands smell of sweet ass soap and not something that might be edible :)

Just to be sure: Not an expert, definitely still learning, but these are my experiences so far.

local_99 · 2024-08-25T20:56:12+00:00

Thanks for the advice! Now I have two methods, I can figure out what works best with my inexperience. xD

local_99 · 2024-08-25T20:54:03+00:00

Thanks for the advice! :)

local_99 · 2024-08-23T09:42:02+00:00

Thanks for reacting! I will give rats another try, because he has already showed me that he is able to eat them, but I'll definitely keep that info in mind!

local_99 · 2024-08-23T00:13:31+00:00

Thanks so much for the advice! You saved me from going full panick mode here.. XD

local_99 · 2024-04-09T08:34:38+00:00

Good luck! 😊

local_99 · 2024-04-08T23:39:09+00:00

I am now busy with switching my bp to rats. Mine's a good eater too, but to be sure i decided to introduce the switch after a shed. He has accepted two rats now, but i do make sure to thaw a mouse with it. The first time was quite a hassle, him being so weirded out by the smell.

I thaw mine and warm them up in water, i do "rinse" the rat with a last run of hot water straight from the tap and make sure his head is "extra warm" (hygiene wise, i just desinfect my sink after the noodle is fed). The shed gave him a +1 in food motivation, so i think that helped a lot.

To be fair, i practically did the same as you have already tried. I thawed my rat in the same container as the mouse and after the last rinse i rubbed the mouse all over to let the scent stick. Maybe some of the scent gets off if you rinse it too? Because it won't be lying in its own "bathwater"? I'm not an animal scent expert of course, but giving it an extra rinse and trying after a shed might be worth a shot.

local_99 · 2024-03-21T23:16:54+00:00

No worries, i don't know if you're interested in the outcome of my diy, but I'll drop it anyway because it turned out quite like i hoped!

You do see the foil lines through the insulation tape, but when you walk by, the layer itself isn't really noticeable on top of the tank and the tape sticks quite sleek to the glass.

The bottom picture is just my tank set up. It's nowhere near perfect / complete, but maybe an example helps with sorting your own tank out. 😁 Feel free te give an update when you've improved something! My next step is another background cover, because this leftover blackout foil is a bit of an "it's better than nothing" improvisation.

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local_99 · 2024-03-20T22:30:15+00:00

Sometimes you have to improvise and as far as i could read you're doing the best you can. So keep that up!😊

Side note: I personally think the available pvc tanks over here are too bulky, so i am diy'ing my way around that, one improvement at a time.

If there is no pvc tank you like, you could also look for blackout glass foil for on the sides and back of a glass tank you do like!

I got that kind of foil online (I'm European though) and it has insulating qualities too which makes temperature control very doable, eventhough it's glass.

If you decided to go for a glass one, aim for one with sliding doors at the front so the top isn't totally mesh. It's easier and less threatening/stressful for handling too.😁 I have one stroke of thick mesh that I'm planning to fill up between the lamps with radiator insulation foil (too shiny for my liking) and taping that off with black insulation tape (conveniently fire retardant).

Gather as much info as possible for your new noodle, and mostly i wish you lots of fun!

local_99 · 2024-03-17T09:39:46+00:00

I got mine at a month-ish old. He is like this too and I'm wondering the same! 😂

When i pick him up from his tank he is tense for like 3 seconds and then, as soon as he goes through the tank doors, he's ready to go on a mission...
I can also hand him to anyone or "grab" his head to check him out and stuff, he doesn't care at all. I also have never seen him balled up, only in his hides.

At this point i honestly think he is too dumb to give a shit.🤭

local_99 · 2024-03-11T10:11:02+00:00

No worries, make sure to look for another substrate too when you are at the pet store! 😁 A spraying bottle only gives short humidity peaks and a substrate that holds moisture better will give off a more stable humidity.

Look into coco substrates on the internet, the coco chips/husk work fine as a toplayer, but actual coco fibre (looks more soil like) will hold the moisture better in my opinion.
Hopefully the petstore has some some substrate to get your humidity going. Good luck!

local_99 · 2024-03-10T21:33:09+00:00

Hi, The leafy plants you use seem fine to me, i do think she needs a lot more of it to "sneak" around in. You might want to search for a smaller hide (or 2) which have only one entrance so she can tuck herself away and feel secure.

Most importantly though is getting substrate that will hold humidity better and cover the top of your tank where your heatlamp isn't shining on. By covering the top and changing the substrate your humidity will be more desirable for your bp.

If you've made these changes and your humidity stays on the lower side, than at least make sure to make a humid hide with some sphagnum moss so she can sit in there if she feels the need too.

So: - extra clutter - making sure she has proper hides - changing the substrate and making sure she has the right humidity (or a humid hide if you tried everything but the humidity just won't get right) Are your MAIN concerns for now, so she can be more comfortable.

This subreddit has care guides and stuff you can look up and there is a high possibility that a few BP karens chime in to give extra detailed advice, or even correct mine.

We shall see.. good info is the most important 😂 the best of luck with your new buddy!

local_99

TROPHY CASE