When you have a pet ball python, you know that it’s relatively difficult to understand if it’s experiencing any issues since snakes are hard to read, especially at first. A good way of getting information about your snake’s health is to check its poop. 

Ball python poop typically looks like brown or black logs mixed with chalky white logs, which are kidney waste. It should have a soft and solid consistency and a light smell. If it’s runny, bloody, or green, it can indicate a problem. The urates should have a consistent color and consistency.

Stick around if you want to know more! I will explain what normal and abnormal ball python poop looks like so that you know what to watch out for. Moreover, I will give you some more information about the bowel habits of your pet.

Normal and Abnormal Poop for a Ball Python: How To Tell the Difference

Normal ball python poop looks like brown or black logs with a solid but soft consistency. It can be different sizes, depending on the size of the snake and the prey, and it has a light smell. Additionally, some parts of the prey may not be digested entirely, so you may find bones or hair in the feces; this doesn’t indicate any digestion issues, so you have nothing to worry about.

Most of the time, you may also notice white, chalky logs along with the poop, which is normal. Snakes release part of the liquids in their body in the form of urates, solid kidney wastes made of ammonium acid urate. 

You might also see some liquid urine, which is expected. Urates can also be yellowish or orange, which is normal as long as they have always been the same way.

Signs of Abnormal Poop for a Ball Python

Sometimes your pet’s poop can be unusual in different ways, signaling a potential issue or change in their diet. Here are some signs of abnormal poop:

• The poop is watery. This might indicate that the food was partially frozen when you fed it to your snake. It shouldn’t be a problem if it only happens once, but if it lasts, it may be caused by stress, malnutrition, or a parasite. 
• It has a green color. Ball python poop should be brown, so this color indicates that your pet might have an infection or is surviving on its own stored fat. 
• There is blood in the feces. Blood in the stool can indicate something seriously wrong, so you should take your python to the vet.
• The urates are too chalky or yellow. If you notice that the urates are drier than usual or have suddenly turned yellow, your python is dehydrated.

How Long Does It Take for a Ball Python To Poop?

Unlike most other pets, ball pythons only poop once in around 5 to 14 days, but sometimes can take longer. Snakes must digest the whole food before pooping, which may take a few days to a week. Some snakes don’t poop until they shed, which may cause them to hold it for a couple of months.

On the other hand, urates can show up more often and sooner than poop. You may only notice urates for days or weeks in between poops, which is normal. Snake owners often worry too much because they think their pet is constipated, but it’s typical for snakes to poop relatively rarely.

Conclusion

You should pay close attention to the feces of your pet snake to understand if there is something wrong with its health. Ball python feces are supposed to be brown or black and have a solid texture. Any irregularities in the color or consistency may be a reason for worry.