So the past few weeks my milksnake has been pooping like this picture, and he will poop 2-3x between each feed like this. I took him to the vet and the vet couldn’t find anything wrong and said to try a probiotic once a week. I started that last week, but obviously it hasn’t started working yet. Today I went to feed him and he didn’t eat. (He normally eats right away) has anyone seen poop like this? (Also got a fecal and negative for all parasites) should I go see a different vet or is this “normal” colubrid poo? Any advice is appreciated
Is this a young milksnake? If so, looks totally normal for young colubrid poop to me. Age, weight, feeder size, and how often you’re feeding would be good to know, but even then, I’m not seeing anything that’s worth worrying about.
He is about 1.5 yrs old, eating fuzzies weekly. About 61 grams. I finally got him to eat a pinkie. I think he didn’t like the probiotic sprinkled on his food
How are your temps?
Yeah, some snakes will refuse food with any type of additive. I’d say from what it sounds like, he’s doing just fine, though at 61g I’d consider upping the feeder size to a hopper (something around 9-12g by weight). Temps, as @solarserpents has asked about, can also impact how well your snake is digesting the meal.
So call me unobservant regarding poop but I have never seen poop like that? I looks like the little beany things inside green beans. I’m used to seeing darker poop. However that’s got to be a close up shot…… I am really confused…
Warm end: 87-90* cool end high 70s-low 80s. Night temp about 72
Wait, that’s seriously what normal young colubrid poop looks like? For real?? It looks more like a pile of pinto beans than any snake poop I’ve ever seen. (Obviously I don’t have any colubrids.)
I’m glad you answered first, I was convinced that only a very ill snake could produce such weird-looking poop. Glad it’s nothing to worry about! And thanks for educating those of us who have only kept species from the python and boa families.
Hey Jennifer check out my post above! I mentioned beans too but not the kind you did! Lol!
@caron It’s more common in young colubrids, I’ve noticed. Can be an indicator they’re not digesting consistently, but it’s not really something I’d be concerned about.
@jawramik I’m not sure if it’s considered “normal” normal, but I’ve had snakes whose poop has looked like that and they’ve been perfectly fine. Sometimes they just digest a bit faster or slower, depending on feeding frequency and other factors.
@sydneygeorge Temps sound pretty good to me. I’d keep an eye on future poops for any other changes, but I wouldn’t worry too much, especially since a vet visit has found him to be otherwise healthy.
Do you think it’s be worth removing him from my reptile room? Just concerned if he is sick I don’t want all my others sick as well.
If this type of poop were indicative of illness, I’d have long ago been in trouble, so I’d say there’s no reason to move him. Maybe try upping the feeder size if he’s been on fuzzies a while and the next size up isn’t more than 1.5x his girth, see if that changes the consistency.
It definitely looks like SOME kind of beans! When my snakes poop, it looks like …well, poop. I had no idea snake poop ever looked like that.
Well, today I learned that sometimes snake poop looks like beans, and it doesn’t mean the snake is sick. Thanks, @noodlehaus! Now I know who to ask for any future scatological questions.
Thanks for all your info, I’m new to colubrids so I’m still learning. Appreciate all your advice!
Hey, no problem, seems everyone is learning a little something new about poop today! We all had to start somewhere, and if you’ve never seen something before, the best way to get more info is to ask. Hopefully you get some more standard looking poops from your boy soon!
Lol! I have a milk snake which I have had since he was a baby that prefers brown poop to decorate his tub with instead of a pile of beans but yes seriously I am glad to learn this because otherwise it would be a bit alarming to see this in your snake’s enclosure and not know it’s ok.
@sydneygeorge Thank you for asking this question!
Hello, welcome! I might have missed it but how long have you had your snake? I’m only asking because your question about removing him from your reptile room made me wonder if he’s new to you just in case he hadn’t been quarantined. I’m glad others here have experience seeing “bean poo” and that it’s nothing to worry about
I’ve had him Since a hatchling. So about 1.5 years! I always quarantine new animals at least for a few feeds and poos and get fecals.
Oh good! And we really love pics of snakes on here, so feel free to post the snake that pooped out the beans so we can admire him!