Boa Constrictor Pooping Green And Yellow

Has there been a change in your boa constrictor’s poop, keeping you worried?

Do you wonder what healthy droppings look like and what it means when they change?

For pets and people, feces is a key indicator of health.

A lot is learned from the state of droppings and when they change.

Experienced owners know what to watch for and what to do when the droppings change drastically.

Itā€™s good youā€™re wondering this; it makes you a caring owner.

In this article, weā€™ll answer your question:

Why is my boa constrictor pooping green and yellow?

Yellow, green, and white ā€œpoopā€ with boa constrictors are usually their urate. Changes in the color and consistency of the popcorn-like droppings may indicate stress or potential illness. Most often, itā€™s nothing to worry about unless accompanied by other signs of illness.

Learn more details in the rest of the post.

why is my boa constrictor pooping green and yellow

The Importance Of Poop In Boa Constrictors

As with most pets, poop and dropping are essential indicators of health in boa constrictors.

Defecation with boa constrictors looks brown like you would expect poop to look.

Often, itā€™s a large dropping pushed out all at once.

They donā€™t usually poop multiple times with small droppings everywhere.

Droppings are directly related to the dietary health of the snake.

Changes in droppings cause concern, but they may be due to any number of issues, including:

  • Shedding
  • Changes in diet
  • Lack of water
  • Parasites
  • Accidentally ingestion of something else

Combine the poop changes with other signs of illness (see later section) for a better idea if an illness is a problem.

All the previous information addresses poop, but this also applies to urate.

Urate is the reptile form of urine and is quite different from what mammals typically do as part of this process.

As a result, urate is often mistaken for odd poops.

The next section talks about this in more detail.

Why Is My Boa Constrictor Pooping Green And Yellow?

If the large dropping is green or yellow, donā€™t panic.

Think about what your snake has eaten lately and check for other signs of illness.

But if you’re looking at popcorn-sized droppings which are white, green, or yellow, there’s no problem.

This is urate.

When mammals pee, itā€™s usually in liquid form.

This is different for reptiles.

Their urine, called urate, comes out in a powdery, poo-like fashion.

If this sounds like what youā€™re seeing, itā€™s perfectly normal.

The urate comes in all different shades of white, yellow, and green.

The shade depends on the exact boa, but it also depends on what theyā€™ve eaten and how much water they absorbed lately.

There isnā€™t a color to aim for or shy away from.

These are all normal.

The consistency of the urate is somewhat important.

Rock hard urates mean they may be dehydrated.

Loose urates arenā€™t bad unless itā€™s combined with loose and multiple poops.

This is a sign of diarrhea.

If the poop itself is green, this may be a sign of an infection in their internal diet systems.

Observe and consult a vet.

On occasion, urate with mix with poop to create yellow-ish poop.

This isnā€™t a sign for concern unless this is consistent over weeks.

How Often Does A Boa Constrictor Poop?

When it comes to pooping frequency, the rule is one poop or a large set of droppings for every meal.

If you feed a younger boa every 5-7 days, expect them to defecate every 5-7 days.

They only excrete when the food of their last meal is fully digested.

Check out more information on what a boa constrictor eats.

This will often be halfway or just over halfway between feedings (if you have them on a schedule).

If they donā€™t poop between feedings, they may be impacted or constipated.

Keeping them well-hydrated is an excellent way to avoid this.

When you notice a boa constrictor defecating multiple times between feedings (either smaller poops or loose poops throughout), this is a clear diarrhea sign.

Call your vet to see what they recommend at this point if youā€™re worried.

If you have diarrhea through two feeding cycles or notice weight loss and lethargy, they need to go to the vet.

How Often Do Boa Constrictors Urate?

This answer isnā€™t so clear.

Sometimes they drop one big urate between each feeding.

Sometimes itā€™s multiple smaller ones over a week.

There are even times when the urate mixes with the feces, and they donā€™t seem to urate at all.

Itā€™s harder to judge frequency on this, and it changes over time without much reason.

The urates may be big piles or small bits.

Urates are what you need to check for every day with your boss, so get used to it.

Common Signs Of Illness In Boa Constrictors

A slight change one time in poop or urate isnā€™t something to worry over, but drastic and consistent change is cause for extra care.

Combine a change with any of these common signs of illness and take your pet to the vet for an evaluation.

  • Visible injury or ā€œkinksā€
  • Laying on back for prolonged periods
  • Stargazing
  • Weight Loss
  • Discolored Mouth
  • Discharge from Mouth or Eyes
  • Lack of Appetite
  • Lack of Movement
  • Sneezing or Trouble Breathing
  • Skeletal Loss

Parasites, internal infections, and mouth rot are the most prominent illnesses which affect droppings.

Fortunately, these are easily cured if the disease is caught early enough.

This is why it’s essential to check on your pet every day.

It helps you know what is normal and when you may have cause for concern.

Conclusion

Now you know about why your boa constrictor is pooping green and yellow.

Most likely, itā€™s just urate, and youā€™re not used to how reptiles urinate.

Itā€™s actually like smaller, powdery poops.

If you see a change in the urate, look for other signs of illness. If youā€™re really worried, itā€™s OK to call your vet or breeder.

Theyā€™ll be able to talk you through the problem and solve it.

This information is essential for proper boa constrictor ownership, so keep it in mind as you enjoy your pet.

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