Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I have a Great Basin that was wild-caught several years ago... great snake. And another that was just caught about a week ago. I need to find out their sexes, but if I have 2 females or a male and a female... are they OK to be housed together in a 55 gallon? Of course, I won't consider this for some time, to let that new snake really get comfortable with captivity. The new snake is currently alone in the 55 gallon and the other snake is in a 40 gallon. I have heard that 2 males will fight, especially in the breeding season, so that's why I wouldn't want to put 2 males together. Any opinions?

I've heard of people doing it, and thought about it myself, but decided against it. I have 4 Gophers, 2 Great Basin & 2 San Diego, all females, and keep all mine separate. Gophers tend to be voracious feeders. I just figured that even though I'd follow all the rules like feeding in a separate enclosure, waiting 15 minutes after feeding to put them backin their tank, it's just better not to court danger. I'm sure there are quite a few more experienced Gopher keepers that could give you their opinions and their reasons for it, but if I can I keep my snakes separate. Good luck & please post pics.

reako45

I do the same with feeding... in a seperate enclosure and wait before putting them back. I am curious to hear more opinions on this though from people who have done it.

Here is a picture of the Great Basin that was caught a few years ago.

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And here is the newbie

I can't say no when someone requests a picture! I love this new guy, he's so mellow!

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Way back when (in the 80s) I kept female pac gophers together.
When I find my male pac gopher - I'm contemplating (after quarantine and vet getting rid of any parasites) keeping them together except for post copulation when the female is getting ready to lay.

My female will eat right out of my hand - so it will be easy to separate them for feeding purposes.
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11.14 L. getula californiae (Cal. King)
2.3 L. getula nigrita (MBK)
1.0 L. getula floridana (Brooksi)
1.0 Pantherophis guttatus guttatus (Corn)
0.1 Pituophis catenifer catenifer (Pacific gopher)
4.2 Elgaria multicarinata multicarinata - 14 eggs (Cal. Alligator Lizard)

Would I have to worry about one trying to eat the other or anything like that? They are almost the same size and they will be fed regularly. I saw a picture of a San Diego Gopher eating another.

No - not unless they try eating the same mouse, but if you feed 'em separate, that shouldn't be an issue.

I've heard of gopher snakes sometimes taking lizards when young, but they aren't like kingsnakes that love reptile prey.
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11.14 L. getula californiae (Cal. King)
2.3 L. getula nigrita (MBK)
1.0 L. getula floridana (Brooksi)
1.0 Pantherophis guttatus guttatus (Corn)
0.1 Pituophis catenifer catenifer (Pacific gopher)
4.2 Elgaria multicarinata multicarinata - 14 eggs (Cal. Alligator Lizard)