Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I'm new at the snake keeping hobby but getting into it pretty quick. I have large cages and need to know if I can keep more than one snake in a cage when it is not breeding season. I know I would have to seperate them for feeding.

My corns love being together. I have 3 males in one and my female in another. Just be VERY sure you have males and females separated or you will end up with eggs...like me BTW, snakes do not seem to know when mating season is, so don't rely on that. Another thing, they should be about the same size so there is no confusion as to buddy or food.

...will tell you it is a bad idea and why. Draybar has a big post about it and since he has it saved and does not have to type it up everytime, I will let him tell you why.
As you see in the post above, not everyone thinks its a bad idea, but the reasons against keeping multiple snakes together make sense.
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****Misty****

Due to budget cuts, the light at the end of the tunnel has been turned off.

1.1.2 bearded dragons
1.1.1 water dragons
0.0.5 leopard geckos
7.18.4 corn snakes
1.1.0 jungle corns
2.5.0 king snakes
1.0.0 Sinaloan milk snake
0.1.0 Tri-Hybrid milk snake
0.1.0 rat snake
1.1.0 Leucistic rat snakes
0.0.1 royal (ball) python
1.1.0 red headed agamas
1.1.0 Congo African Grey Parrots
0.1.0 German Shepherd hybrid dog

Corn snakes are solitary by nature (except during breeding season). They do best when kept individually. It would stand to reason that corn snakes experience some degree of stress when kept more than one to a cage, since it's not natural for them to be in close contact with each other all the time. Some snakes can handle this stress, others can't.

You also have the issue of diseases and parasites. In a group setting, if one snake gets ill, they'll all be exposed to it.

Tim

Third Eye

>>I'm new at the snake keeping hobby but getting into it pretty quick. I have large cages and need to know if I can keep more than one snake in a cage when it is not breeding season. I know I would have to seperate them for feeding.

COHABITATION
MY OPINION

I feel it is best to keep snakes separate.
I know a lot of people keep multiple snakes together without problems and it can obviously be done without being detrimental to the snakes. I just feel the possible drawbacks need to be expressed.
When a person gets the experience and knowledge of each individual snake and wants to try co-habitation, it is up to them. They just need to be careful and able to read the subtle signs of their snakes.
There can be definite drawbacks.
If one snake becomes sick there is a very good likelihood the other/others will get sick as well.
It may also take a while (usually too long) to determine which one is the sick one.
If one regurgitates its food you won't know which one unless you happen to get lucky and see it.
If one has a problem stool you won't know which one. Once again one may have a problem but by the time you figure out which one the other/others could end up with the same problem.
Although this is only a slight possibility, it is still a possibility and has been know to happen, one snake could eat the other. The smell of a prey item could trigger one snake to eat the other. Or simple hunger accompanied by a ready food source.
Although uncommon, it has happened and is a possibility.
Another possibility is unwanted pregnancy. A female might get pregnant and you may not have the knowledge, desire or ability to incubate the eggs or raise the hatchlings. With hatchlings comes the responsibility to raise them or find them homes.
A lot of people rationalize by saying, "I will just put two males or two females together". That can work but mistakes can easily be made, especially with hatchlings. You could easily end up with a male and female.
There is also a chance of a female breeding too young or too small and becoming egg-bound. Although uncommon, it IS a possibility and can happen.
With multiple snakes in an enclosure you stand the chance of loosing all of them if there happens to be an avenue of escape. Instead of losing one you could loose two or more depending on how many you decide to place together.
One or both of the snakes could be stressed by the presence of the other. Stress can cause a drop in appetite and lead to other health problems as well.
People will put multiple snakes in an enclosure and ask why one isn't eating.
When they are told it is probably due to stress caused by the other snake, the response is almost always the same "they like each other, they are always under the same hide together". Well this probably just means "that" hide or area of the tank has the optimum conditions they are looking for.
Snakes do not LIKE each other or ENJOY each other’s company.
There is no capacity for snakes to "like" or "enjoy".
I have kept multiple snakes together without problems but have made a choice to keep them separate. There is NO clear argument on why you SHOULD keep them together but there ARE clear arguments as to why you SHOULD NOT.
So, in my opinion, although people do it successfully I just don't think it is worth the risk.
If you decide to keep multiple snakes together, watch closely for any signs of appetite loss, regurgitation or any kind of “personality” changes. These could all be signs of stress.
You would also want to feed them in separate containers and give them an hour or so before putting them back together.
My 2 cents
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Corn snakes and rat snakes..No one can have just one.
"resistance is futile"
Jimmy (draybar)

Draybars Snakes

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hey Jimmy, I have bben wondering where you are. Not internet problems again, I hope? Although, last time you had them, you had babies hatch!
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****Misty****

Due to budget cuts, the light at the end of the tunnel has been turned off.

1.1.2 bearded dragons
1.1.1 water dragons
0.0.5 leopard geckos
7.18.4 corn snakes
1.1.0 jungle corns
2.5.0 king snakes
1.0.0 Sinaloan milk snake
0.1.0 Tri-Hybrid milk snake
0.1.0 rat snake
1.1.0 Leucistic rat snakes
0.0.1 royal (ball) python
1.1.0 red headed agamas
1.1.0 Congo African Grey Parrots
0.1.0 German Shepherd hybrid dog

>>hey Jimmy, I have bben wondering where you are. Not internet problems again, I hope? Although, last time you had them, you had babies hatch!
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>>****Misty****
>>

I have been busy. Working a lot of overtime. Between the overtime and other things I have going on, I haven't been able to drop in here very often.
I"m still hanging around the edges though.
I hope to start posting hatchling photos, soon.
>>
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Corn snakes and rat snakes..No one can have just one.
"resistance is futile"
Jimmy (draybar)

Draybars Snakes

_____

I am sure with as much as you have going, that will really keep you busy. Must be like hatchlings around every corner with you, when it gets to that time.
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****Misty****

Due to budget cuts, the light at the end of the tunnel has been turned off.

1.1.2 bearded dragons
1.1.1 water dragons
0.0.5 leopard geckos
7.18.4 corn snakes
1.1.0 jungle corns
2.5.0 king snakes
1.0.0 Sinaloan milk snake
0.1.0 Tri-Hybrid milk snake
0.1.0 rat snake
1.1.0 Leucistic rat snakes
0.0.1 royal (ball) python
1.1.0 red headed agamas
1.1.0 Congo African Grey Parrots
0.1.0 German Shepherd hybrid dog