Reptile & Amphibian Forums

So just on a whim I have decided to ask the members of the forum what their thoughts are on housing multiple BP's in the same enclosure. Would it be recommended? What are the cons (IBD and mites aside)? Has anyone introduced a new BP (potentially of the same sex) into an enclosure with a residing BP?

Thanks guys & gals.
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Adam

"I wish I were wise! I wish I were wise from the heart of me, like my serpent!"

NOT a good idea. Ball Pythons are very solitary creatures and stress out extremely easily. They "fight" in ways we cannot see, the way the article described that Cenobite posted. They will dominate the other constantly, for the best hide spot, the best heat, etc... even if you have 10 hide spots. They're stress each other out and feeding responses won't be as good. And if one gets sick, you'll never be able to tell which, and than they're both sick....

I really wish Pink Lady still had her site up. She had a strong list of about 12 reasons to not house BP's together with some graphic videos/images.

I know from personal experience not a good idea. It's BAD husbandry and not recommended. Just don't do it.

By the way, I wasn't being mean. I love answering questions... just trying to get my point across Cheers!
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Cheers!
• Chelsea Lynn Gardiner
(and Frank M. Wood)

Aha, no need to apologize. You came across as firm, not mean. Point most certainly taken. Can't say any of the feedback so far comes as a surprise, but it's good to get an informed consensus just to make sure.
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Adam

"I wish I were wise! I wish I were wise from the heart of me, like my serpent!"

I do not recommend to anyone that they keep non-breeding snakes together, but I also think that people should understand that there are no "rules" so to speak. The greatest thing everyone has to their success with animals is using their own intuition. Using intuition, can take time to get right! It is not a simple yes/no, if-then-may-be answer. Could anyone ever guarantee the actions of any human???? Animals are no different, yet refreshingly more predictable/reliable.

Yup,,,,, I have housed 2 girls together since October '07.
I haven't noticed in my PERSONAL & INDIVIDUAL experience, that they have ever competed w/each other. They actually seem very relaxed and unstressed w/each other. Although, I'm sure they wouldn't necessarily "miss" eachother if separated. (ummm, actually, one does look around the tank if I take one out,,,, but that probably doesn't mean much)

They are in a 40gal breeder display tank w/branches & fake ivy that they like to climb every night. They have never been exposed to new snakes. Every time I feed them, they are taken out of their tank. I use big rubber maid containers w/lids to feed them. When they're done swallowing, I clean them off from head to tail w/ a wet towel (I AM paranoid about one smelling like a rat to the other!!!!!!) So yes, I admit that I feel the fear of other people's warnings! Why do I still keep them together???? Well, there is no GREAT reason,,, only that through time, my particular pair doesn't seem to mind the arrangement,,,,,,,,, I am planning to get them their own digs soon........... as they are both about 900grams now.

Now, remember that these two are girls, and remember that they've been together since they were 2 months of age......... Any other circumstance could be DRASTICALLY different. But for me, my 2 girls have been healthy and great at living together for the past year . I think that it's all about the circumstances.
Just my experience.

I have never housed two together, but I know of many who have especially before they becme popular.

Washing them off and/or waiting after feeding is a good idea.

Whatever works.

I have also housed two BP together and they were both males. They were juvies also. I separated them after I almost killed one of my friends carpet pythons. He was housing two full grown carpets together, and I had two extra rats from feeding his BP, so I figured I would just give those guys the extra rats. BAD IDEA!!! One grabbed the rat and started strangling it, and then the other grabbed the same rat in the ass, and started squeezing the rat and the other carpets neck. I stuck my hands in there trying to pull them apart, and lift the pressure form the carpets neck, but I could see him starting to expire and I was MAD FREAKING OUT!!! I grabbed a gallon of water and started pooring it on the other carpet and that seemed to work. So in the end they both still ate and they are both doing fine to this day. Then what does my dumb ass do? Goes and tries to feed two hungry juvinile ball pythons in the same enclosure and sure enough, both went after the same mouse, but I was able to hold them both apart so they wouldn't be able to hurt eachother. So I was holding two snakes that were trying to kill the same pray. Very interesting. I had to wait until one of them let go. My point? Don't house snakes together...lol.

Reptiles in general are healthiest housed separately for reasons already mentioned - stress, limiting the spread of disease, etc, but your mishaps with community enclosures seem entirely related to feeding, and thus point to a specific husbandry error on your part (simultaneously presenting multiple snakes with the same target) rather than that those particular snakes had a problem living together. Had you removed one of them to a separate location for feeding, you'd have avoided that problem altogether.
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0.1 Albino Leopard Gecko - Tigger
0.1 Crested Gecko - Pooh-Bear

lesson deffinantely learned, but thanks.