Yes, the basic concept does involve intimidation and dominance, with ritualized movements where one male tries to top and throw another. I think it is fairly similar across many species, and it is a means for determining who gets mating rights without much if any injury resulting to the competing males. However, that is how it is supposed to work in the great outdoors.



In the confines of a typical cage, the animals may slam each other to the floor, against the walls, against hide containers and against water bowls. Biting has been observed in some species and some boids might utilize their spurs, as well. And because the “loser” can never exit the arena as he would in the wild, the more dominant animal must continue to try to best him over and over again. Different species may be more or less vigorous in this combat, as are individuals within species, but it most definitely can get violent and result in injury. The two times I have witnessed combat in ball pythons occurred when I unwittingly put two males together mistakenly thinking one was a female. If you enjoy attending dog fights, you might enjoy this. Otherwise, it is best to cage adult male pythons singly.



By the way, dominance can take other forms. I have seen pseudo-copulation between male snakes and courtship behavior directed by one female towards another. I certainly can’t say if the submissive individuals “liked” what was being done to them, but at least it wasn’t physically injurious (who knows what it did to their psyches!).



-Joan

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