Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I know that everyone says that housing snakes together is prohibited. I've also hear that it's ok just as long as one is a male and the other a female. My male is 4 1/2 feet and my female is about 3 feet. I just bought the female yesterday and introduced her to my male lol. At first he was very hissy and seemed very nervous. Then after a while they went opposite directions , he calmed, and she went into hiding just like any snake in a new environment. Is there anything I should look out for as far as feeding and behavior? My male JCP is very calm and seems like he's unphased.

Well, since no one else has responded to you, I'll take a stab at it - even though what I have to offer is different than what a lot of other people would say. I house my 1.2 JCPs together. I also house my JCPxDiamond pair together. And my pair of Moluccans. And my pair of White Lippeds. These are all large, established adults that I have had for several years and are all what I would consider, quite tame. In my experience, housing animals together is a bit of an art, and it requires that you pay attention to them and that they are well established and secure. It also means more of your time on feeding day, I feed all of my communally housed animals in individual large storage bins.

Cage design and individual temperament is very important when housing animals together. As much as snakes will never like you, they also should never really hate you. In my opinion, nervous, defensive, snakes that don't hesitate to bite you are just that - nervous and defensive - and are not good candidates for group housing. Snakes are very scent based, before housing any of my animals together, they were in cages either next to or on top of each other so they could get used to each other gradually as opposed to a more sudden introduction. Group cages need to be pretty large, with enough room for movement and individual shelters of all the occupants without them always being on top of each other. For instance, my JCPs are in a 5'x2'x4'tall cage.

In your case, what I would consider is housing the animals separately initially - especially because the female is new to you - mites and worse do happen, and these problems are not trivial to deal with. Let your female get settled in for a while, several feedings at least then see how she deals with feeding when she's put in a plastic storage box. I have never, and have no plans to ever, feed multiple animals in the same cage. Too scary for me. And try the same with your male. I would watch the size difference. Eventually the female will catch up with the male, but you'll have to pay attention to ensure that the small female is not being intimidated by the large male. I would probably wait until they were more comparably sized.

Hope this helps a little.

-Rolf

i keep a ball python i think is a male and a female jcp in the same incloser and not only have had no problems but also very rarly see them apart. I also keep two male boas together and have never had trouble out of them. ( hope this info is some help)

Wow, different species in the same cage - that kicks it up even another notch from just housing multiple animals of the same species together. It seems like it would also increase the level of attention you need to devote to that enclosure. One thing I should stress is that I don't house multiple animals together due to lack of cage space. If I feel the need, I can separate my groups - and I have when females have become gravid. Just out of curiosity, what was your motivation for housing your jcp and ball together? I'm in no way trying to be judgmental and I'm not saying it's wrong, I'm just curious. It would also be cool to see pics of your enclosure, if possible. This is a really interesting subject, I hope to hear more feedback from people who've tried doing things like this.

-Rolf

Your snakes went in opposite directions. The dominate snake will always have the choice spot, the subordinate snake whatever spot is unoccupied. Don't house your snakes together. We are talking JCPs here, the requirements for housing size aren't that great. Surely you can provide each a place of their own.
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Dennis

>> I just bought the female yesterday and introduced her to my male lol.
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One word: Quarantine

Any disease or external parasite from your new snake is now potentially infecting your original animal.

I acquired her from a breeder that I know carries a good bloodline. Both snakes are very calm, they're not nervous at all, and never strike. The female is new and is a bit shy but she seems to be slowly coming out of her hide spot more and more. When both snakes cross paths they are very calm and there's no hissing, striking or anything like that. I will feed her for the first time in about a week from now. If all goes well, and she eats, then I think it's safe to say they'll be just fine. If all else fails then I'll by a new enclosure just for her. What does everyone else think? Oh by the way, thank you for everyone's opinions and advice on this matter.

Well, if you insist on housing them together at least be sure to take Rolf’s advice regarding separate feeding enclosures. Otherwise the day will surely come when you find the snakes swallowing the same meal from different ends. Also, once they go into feeding mode, they will strike anything that moves including each other.
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Dennis

Yes, that's what I intend on doing. Feeding them seperately, remaining patient, and watching them closely.