Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Ive had a general boa for about 3 months now and I just decided to get another one he is very light colored you could probably consider him a pastel. They are both from this years litter and within 6 inches of each other in length and they are about the same weight. While I was ahndling the new pastel I decided to try to introduce them to each other since Id liek to keep them in the same setup together. As I picked up my old one the pastel attacked. Well he lunged and tried to sink his teeth deep into the other one. Luckily he got me instead and didnt do any damage to my other snake.(i got some blood drawn though lol)
From what i hear this is abnormal for 2 boas. Both are dog tame when handled alone by me or someone else. Do you have any suggestions for mixing the 2? I called a few pet shops one that specializes in reptiles too and both said just toss them together they will get along. Is this true, especially considering the one already lunged at the other.
thanks in advance

You are right. Generally you can house boas together. It is generally frowned upon for many reasons. I do keep some of my boas togther for now. There will come a time where I will seperate most of them and only keep a few housed together.

When you introduce a new boa after quarantining it to another boa you need to be VERY careful. You need to watch the VERY closely. I have had certain boas that do well together and others that have not. I am speaking of BCI's only here.

Some animals have no problems. Others will musk, some will crap all over, others will try to attack the "intruder", etc. etc. When you are faced with any of these negatives.......It really won't be too safe for one of the boas. Even if things "appear" to be ok.........They may not be. There is a competition for heat and space in the tank at times. Some boas will become stressed from this and to add to that they will not get the minimal recquirements that they need to stay happy and healthy.

My advice to you is try and see how they are together outside of the tank. Maybe they will get use to one another. But, honestly.......I would never risk it. Whenever I have witnessed anything negative......It's not worth trying.

And, just to make things even more scarey. There are times when animals that are housed together look just fine at first. Only to find one of them trying to either bully or eat the other snake. See the picture I am painting. From your post it just doesn't sound like a good idea at all. And, this is from at least 20 years of experience. Yes, I have made all the "stupid" mistakes. The trick is.........Trying to give others info so they don't make the same one.
John

>>Ive had a general boa for about 3 months now and I just decided to get another one he is very light colored you could probably consider him a pastel. They are both from this years litter and within 6 inches of each other in length and they are about the same weight. While I was ahndling the new pastel I decided to try to introduce them to each other since Id liek to keep them in the same setup together. As I picked up my old one the pastel attacked. Well he lunged and tried to sink his teeth deep into the other one. Luckily he got me instead and didnt do any damage to my other snake.(i got some blood drawn though lol)
>>From what i hear this is abnormal for 2 boas. Both are dog tame when handled alone by me or someone else. Do you have any suggestions for mixing the 2? I called a few pet shops one that specializes in reptiles too and both said just toss them together they will get along. Is this true, especially considering the one already lunged at the other.
>>thanks in advance
-----
"To be the best..........You must lose your mind."

thanks for the response bro. The only reason I went ahead and got another one was becasue everyoen around here told me it would be ok boas are usually great when housed together. Granted the new snake may have been stressed from moving from a familiar enviroment into a bag then onto my hands so im gonna try again and c how that works if i c any hostility im going to have to come up w another solution. I dotn really ahve the room for 2 setups at this pt. soo?