So much goes in .. and so little comes out??

[Dom]

Hello!

I know that in general, bloods really do not go to the washroom often .. but this is getting rediculous, I might find excretion in my cage once a month .. and he eats every week..

Why are they like this? What is the reason for such a metabolism? Could it not be harmfull to keep it in for such long durations..

Any explanations would be apreciated.

[Linds]

No worries. They do have a slower metabolism than other snakes such as BCI. Many other species go that length of time. Some snakes may even go every few months as they get older. As long as he is going at some point, bheaving normally, and eating fine then I woudln't worry about it.

[Dom]

thanks linds for the quick response .. but what I was wondering really is the "why " such a slow metabolism.. It does not really make sense to me .. it eats every week and poops once a month ...

I am not worried about it but simply curious .. could this be some how advantagous to them .. Im just brainstorming here.. mahhh well tx for the help ...

I am sure I will get some kind of answer from Grant on this one!

[rattekonigin]

I'm not knowledgeable about blood pythons, by any means, but I remember reading somewhere that they are ambush predators, in that they don't actively seek out their prey, they just sit and wait for something to come along...and ambush predators have much slower metabolisms because they don't move as much, and probably (I'm just guessing this) because they don't come across as much food as active predators and need what they do get to last longer...

[Jeff_Favelle]

Its just the way that "nature" has selected this animal to excel in its environment. They bulk up and utilize more of their food source than say, a tree viper or asian colubrid. Its how they exist. If all animals had the same metabolism, then the number of niches in the world would be quite small, no?

What is the mechanism that causes the slow metabolism? Good question. I doubt that its even been researched. Soooo Dom, wanna get a doctorate?? heh heh....

[Dom]

I like the way u put it Jeff .. and rattekonign.. u make a pretty good point too..

As for the doctorate .. well i am knowledgable enough as it is .. lol I am so full of it! Jk ppl!

I wish all snakes could be like them .. it would be so easy to care for.

[Jeff_Favelle]

We know enough already, so what good's a doctorate!! Ha ha!!

[Dom]

I see Jeff is full of himself as well .. lol!

[Grant vg]

Dom, how often are u feeding it and what are u feeding it?

all my bloods are on a very structured pooping scedual since i began feeding em every 7 days....

Before that i fed every 10-14 and rarely saw a poop....months
and they never got that bulky blood girth...

I think its up to u how often u want to feed it....many ppl have had success both ways.

Gvg

[Dom]

I feed every mondays.. and he has NEVER refused a meal yet .. as too when He las pooped, i would say about 3 weeks ago now .. I have had him only for about 4 month now but he is eating very consistantly and growing like a weed .. he must of gainned a good 4 to 5 inches since I got him, if not more.

He is now eating large hopper to small adult rats .. its nuts .. I give him between one and two and he still wants more .. hes feeding response is very very good .. as i said he has never refused a meal yet..

If u need any other info .. tell me ill recite it for you!

He is curently house in a 50 gallon .. he measures arounds 20+ inches.. and his belly is HUGE around - even on an empty stomach..

Let me know what u think ..

Thanks for the help

[Grant vg]

Sounds like u have him set up nicely and feedings fine, etc....

I wouldn't even worry about it, sooner or later he will probably just slip into a routine.

Gvg