Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Ok. So I am fairly new to keeping Ball Pythons but have been keeping corn snakes for years, and a boa constrictor... thus is my problem.

I have been housing my ball pythons for around 3 months in the same room. Though my pythons are across the room. I keep being paranoid about IBD, now, I don't use the same tongs to feed etc. I don't swap cage items etc. But I have heard the virus is thought to be airborn as well.

I got the Boa about 2 - 3 years ago and she shows really no signs of IBD. She has regurged one meal when I first got her, the heat was not right completely, and I had bumped her up to meals that were probably a little large. Never a problem since. I have seen her looking up one time, and she retracted into her hide when I entered the room so thusly not stargazing.

I am still totally freaked about IBD. Do you think I am in the clear now? I don't have another room to move the boa into. I got her from a pet shop that is also a breeder of reptiles. aka NOT Petco etc. Getting rid of the boa is out of the question. My GF will NOT part with her.

The pythons seem perfectly healthy. I never have any issues with them at all. I am getting two new pythons from a very very trusted source but they are fairly expensive (for someone like me). Am I being paranoid? BTW, I am OCD about germs in general.
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3.2.0 Corn Snakes (Jareth, Morkai, Gunner, Selene, Angela)
1.1.0 Ball Pythons
1.0.0 Yorkshire Terrier (Ragnar)
0.1.0 Kenya Sand Boa het Snow (Moo)
0.1.0 Red Tail Boa(Annabelle)

Since there really isn't any really reliable test for IBD on a live animal and since boas can carry it without showing symptoms that could be a tricky situation.

If it were me -- I'd probably find a cheap hatchling ball and expose it to the boas for a few months -- if you don't see any signs then you might be in the clear.

But I'm far from an expert on the subject -- but that's what we did when we got our boas.
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Tosha
JET Pythons

oh you sound like me... all paranoid like this-- glad I'm not alone... !

I am constantly checking our snakes for *signs* of IBD.... We just had a red tail and a ball python come in that were SHARING A CAGE! ... had been in the cage together for 3 years... and they were covered in mites... wanna talk about paranoid! They are in quarantine at my MOM'S house I was getting so freaked out....

As for the same room thing--- we have had boas and pythons in the same room and we do a lot of educational shows... we take ball pythons, red tails, and usually one of our big pythons --- it is impossible to keep them seperated--- they ride in the same car- are held by different people but when kids come along, they touch one then another--- the animals we use for education have been in my collection for... well.. the shortest term resident has been here going on 2 years... the red tail we use i've had for 7 years now... the thought still crosses my mind from time to time though....

If you are that worried-- put the boa in a different room... we have an emerald tree boa that is my prized possession-- she lives in our bedroom- away from all the other reptiles... don't want her getting mites, or ANYTHING! ... just a thought... maybe a fancy display cage in the living room? ...?

~Beth
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Until there are none, Rescue One! Get ready to welcome the new and improved Oklahoma Animal Rescue Group -- Just a few weeks away from getting our 501c3 status!!!!!

As I said, another room is out of the question. Sad to say but I am back in my parents house. I literally have a single room. My ex messed up our bills so when we separated I had to move back here. Until my current girlfriend can get her finances straight, and we can move in together, then I am kinda hosed. Wouldn't the pythons be displaying signs of IBD being housed even in the same room?
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3.2.0 Corn Snakes (Jareth, Morkai, Gunner, Selene, Angela)
1.1.0 Ball Pythons
1.0.0 Yorkshire Terrier (Ragnar)
0.1.0 Kenya Sand Boa het Snow (Moo)
0.1.0 Red Tail Boa(Annabelle)

Its fine to have concern, but if your boa hasnt shown signs of the virus after a two year quarantine and you wash your hands between them then i would consider it safe to have them in the same room. There are lots of people that keep large collections of boa constrictors and ball pythons in a room together without problems. Its great to be a germ freak(i'm one too) but i would be more concerned that your boa will be exposed to a newly arrived ball python! maybe i'm a little biased though

I am afraid every time I bring a new animal in. I am NOT afraid of these ball pythons however. I trust completely who they are coming from. Its odd for me to trust anyone but I have never heard a single bad word about this guy, hell I havent even heard anything good about him, everything I have heard has been exceptional.... Thank you all for helping put my mind, somewhat, to rest.
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3.2.0 Corn Snakes (Jareth, Morkai, Gunner, Selene, Angela)
1.1.0 Ball Pythons
1.0.0 Yorkshire Terrier (Ragnar)
0.1.0 Kenya Sand Boa het Snow (Moo)
0.1.0 Red Tail Boa(Annabelle)