Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Top of the day folks!
i'm considering on getting 2 ball pythons ......male and female
would there be any issues with housing these snakes in the same
tank? and would a 55 gallon be appropriate? and will they thrive
in the same temp range with Kingsnakes? or should i supply lights
for balls?-------anything else that you would like to share will
be greatly appreciated!
.....i've read the corn snake,kingsnake and the boa manuals and they all basically said the same thing.. with a few differences
so instead of blowing another ten.........i'm just going to get my info this time from you nice folks and the net , i'm cruising
over to the care sheet now but i've always found these forums
the best help around.
Thanks......
DJW

>>Top of the day folks!
>>i'm considering on getting 2 ball pythons ......male and female
>>would there be any issues with housing these snakes in the same
>>tank? and would a 55 gallon be appropriate? and will they thrive
>>in the same temp range with Kingsnakes? or should i supply lights
>>for balls?-------anything else that you would like to share will

I wouldn't keep two together and I personally keep mine warmer than my colubrids. You might want to invest in the book. Honestly, of all the snakes I have my BPs and my candoia are the most 'different' from the rest.
Couple things about having them together.....if you ever want to breed them...housing them together year round may put the kibosh on that. Two, it is a stress for the animals and since they are 'known' for not eating to begin with when stressed you may be pressing your luck.
In my mind BPs want a hotter hot end and a higher humidity. They also want more privacy.
Just ideas.
-----
Sonya

OK I don't know where to start on this. First, two snakes should only be kept in the same enclosure if they are established, and it doesn't stress them out. Second, never keep BP's with any other snakes, especially snakes from a completely different continent. They can have diseases which the ball pythons haven't evolved an immunity to. Ball Pythons are known for being easily stressed out, adding other BP's only adds more stress. King snakes are from north america, with temps in the mid 70's. Ball Pythons are from SOUTHERN AFRICA. Thats about a 10 degree temp difference between the species. I don't know what books you have, but every book I have read on BP's or any other snake says don't keep 2 together. Since you want a male and female, I'm going to assume you want to breed them. They most likely won't breed if housed together their whole lives, especially when you throw a kingsnake in there with them. They won't eat or breed when housed together. And the king snake might not like new roommates. Don't get the BP's unless you plan on getting an enclosure for each of them. The enclosure should have a solid lid with a light fixture in the top. 60% humidity, I keep my ambient temp at 82, with a basking spot at between 86 and 88. what works good for me (for babies) is a 10 gal aquarium with a 25 watt light, or a small undertank heat pad and a 15 watt light. Make sure you have a good herp vet in the area.

Response to the above message, established or not, BP's should NEVER be housed together.

Your basking spot should be between 90-95, not in the 80's.

I have heard of many experienced keepers housing 2 BP' s together with no problem, but when they are babies, and the keeper has never had BP's before, it is a terrible idea. it is OK only under certain circumstances. Also, I keep the basking spot at between 88 and 90 because when I have it set above 90, the snake never uses it because it is too hot.

king snakes are snake eaters.... they wouldn't just get annoyed they would eat the ball pythons (assuming the king snake was big enough).
-----
Steve
2.0 Corn Snakes
2.0 Ball Pythons
0.1 Veiled Chameleon
1.1 Leopard Geckos
1.1 Rudis Chameleons
0.1 Giant Day Gecko
0.0.3 Red Ear Sliders
0.0.2 Sulcata Tortoises
1.0 Central American Banded Gecko

Thank you all.......
Djw

Thank you, I’m really impressed with your conviction for the subject! , But
I would never consider keeping a king with anything! But by themselves.....
Also on the lights..... Thank you, the thinking of the lights is confirmed, use them.
The thought of having two was derived from a simple "that would be cool"...no plans of breeding anything -i just enjoy them as
Pets .....
Where the idea of keeping 2 in the same cage came from: was from
Observations of them in the pet trade --i should have known.
My king's temps range from about 72-75 at night to 85-88 day -
With a room which allows a natural light cycle.
Also what i said/meant was that -i am trying to avoid purchasing
Another book.....Because the one's i have read seemed somewhat
Regurgitated -with small differences here and there - but Sonya
Cleared that up........
Thanks for your help b3napoleon,
You laid the "smack down" ha ha
Djw