Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I posted this in the Venomous section and a guy nice enough to reply referred to his Texas Indigos so I thought I'd re-post here. I usually do in regards to Spilotes but this pertains to my Mangrove Snakes. I had 1.1 together of almost exactly the same size and the female ate the male! Brutal lesson to be learned for sure.

I have an 8' female Mangrove and a 6' male that I want to introduce. If you have reservations regarding cannibilism how do you monitor them w/out spooking them..Mangroves are easy to spook when cruising after the lights go out. I will make sure both have recently fed but am looking to see if anyone has any tips.

Thanks,
Bill

I had the exact question on my mind. I have two sub-adult Indigos that I'd like to keep together once they become adults. I have kept adults together together befor with no problem until the female went to drop eggs. That tempted the male to begin eatting her at the vent(?). I quickly saw the problem and removed him. Is it a hard and fast rule to keep them separate or just good sense? Has anyone else had similar problems?

Years ago a friend kept a pair of D. couperi together, year 'round, for several years. And Yes, they did breed, pretty unusual back in the '70's. Recently I saw a friend put a pair, (which had bred previously and seemed compatible) together, and the male attacked/bit the female, making a 2" gaping laceration on her neck, down to the muscle tissue. He was shocked, never having seen agression before. The point is, temperments may vary, with individuals and apparently moods, and with so much to lose, I tend to keep separate and closely supervise introductions. I would be especially concerned with really large and robust males and younger/smaller females.

Kingsnakes may be raised together and seem compatible, yet they would eat a "stranger", but not the cage mate. Maybe Indigos would do the same? But when you see how quickly they can cut with a bite, agression or feeding response, it should make you pause and reflect if it's worth the risk...Interesting Q's. vic

Thank you for your insight certainly. These are things that make sense once I hear them again. The feeding response is temendous reason for concern. Still I hope to experiment with my most gentle snakes and keep them close where I can see if they might need to be separated if need be. I always keep an extra cage handy. Anyone else kept their Indigos together year round (except for feeding) with or without problems?

Thank you very much. I will take all advice seriously. I might add that keeping them well fed can be key. Good work gentlemen.

My Indigos dont seem to care whats going on in the room at the time, In fact you could probaly do the macarana with out disturbing them, Intence focus blinds them to your presents.

i also have kept my cribo pairs together year round [for 8 years] w/ no problems.

That because they take their need to bite something out on Dannio's Feet!

Doug T

>>i also have kept my cribo pairs together year round [for 8 years] w/ no problems.

mr. taylor, i'll be right back as soon as i can think of a snappy comeback to that one. :>] in the meantime, be careful w/ that napalm turkey blaster of yours this year will ya? happy T day everyone!

Yes sir but do you keep your Indigos together year round or unsupervised?

BEAUTIFUL snakes!!!!!!!!!!!!