I think I pretty much agree to some extent with everyone's opinion... I keep all my snakes separate myself, just to accurately keep an eye on health issues and avoid possible cannibalism (Not common, but entirely possible!). Even though each snake has it's own enclosure in my collection, I do put my males in with females for the duration of the breeding 'season' and have very briefly kept litters housed together until their new enclosures are prepared. Of course you may want to look at your options this way: Not only for the snakes well-being and because you may care for it, but you've spent a great deal of money on them and to some people this is more than enough reason to house them separately if you worry about possible risks and losses.
As for the Snakes that have been housed with other snakes their entire lives, it may be mildly stressful for them to be suddenly alone (Did something eat my cagemate?), as it would be to add a snake with one who has not ever been with another (Hey, who's this bully?), and I would recommend something to give them comfort either way. A nice hide perhaps? Also, some snakes like smaller enclosures and hides because of feeling insecure in large spaces, while some are curious and outgoing and enjoy the wider spaces when not resting. As someone else said, they are very individual in their likes and needs, even if they don't have a lot of smarts or emotions! Keep in mind though, it is true that even with a lot of space and extra hides and basking areas... a dominant snake can and will choose wherever it wants to go whenever it wants to, regardless of whether the other snake was there first, forcing the submissive one to relocate at times. I think I went over the same basic things everyone else did... kind of mashed it up for ya' to make it hard to understand!
Back to the beginning again ;p I only house mine this way for the reason that there is less risk. I even worry that my hungry, 'smashing face into glass doors when I walk by' females will eat my males! LOL! They are just very aggressive feeders and any motion seems to set them off, I always hope my males don't make any suggestive movements, other than the ones that make babies! ;p
I'm so paranoid I even have this 'cycle' that I go through when I clean/feed. When I feed, I take the pairs out and put them in my holding rack separately, where they are fed. Then as they are eating I clean the cages completely out and spray a bit of mite-killer (as a preventative measure, I do it every month). After the cages are aired out and set-up and the snakes have eaten, I mist each snake down with water to remove traces of 'food' smell before reintroducing them to their cages, as another person does who posted above. Think of it as a wake-up call! After misting, all thought of food seems to disintegrate for mine! LOL! In other cases, if the enclosure is clean, I will feed single animals in their cages, I never used to because of the hand-food association, but now I can hook them out anyway when not feeding and time is always an issue. Once they know they are not being fed, they are great to handle for me. I think I've said everything that comes to mind, certainly a lot at any rate! ;p
Lots to think about for you! Good luck!
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Steph S.
Boas...
1.1 Albino boas (Loki & Hope)
1.4 07 Het. albino boas (Petty & Lady,Sierra,Madeline,Lola)
0.1 Reverse stripe poss. het albino (Cookie)
0.1 Salmon/hypo (Scarlet)
0.1 Anery poss. het snow (Missy)
1.0 Anery (Reno)
0.1 DH Sunglow (Bonnie)
1.0 Het. Anery (Guy)
0.3 Normals (Ophelia, Sasha, & Lulu)
1.1 Surinames (Solomon & Surreal)
1.2 Hogg Isles (Mr.Orange & Peaches, Apricot)
0.0.1 Central American (Sassy)
0.1 Emerald Tree boa (Jade)
1.0 ATB (Satan... seriously!)
Pythons...
2.1 GTPs (B., Monty & Jewel)
0.0.3 BPs (MJ, Precious, Houdini)
1.1 Carpet Pythons (Jackson & Charlotte)
0.1 Blood python (Akaia)
Misc.
1.1 Mandarin Ratsnakes (Jack & Jill)
1.0 Boxer/Pitt Mutt (Tyson)

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