Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I've been hearing mixed opinions on this. Some say that it's safe to house graybands together. Is this true? They're Kingsnakes and I know kings will eat eachother. What makes Graybands different? I'd like to house my 2.2 group together to make the most of my tanks and heat sources but I don't want to take the risk unless it is safe. Can I get some more input on putting them together please?

Don't house males together. I have had some success keeping groups of females and 1.X groups together. I have also seen alterna housed together at zoos. But on the other hand, there are stories of them eating each other.

of why it is not maybe the best reasons. Even rat snakes can be accidentally cannibalistic when it comes to feeding by smell, feed items particles left on the other snake mouth region. It would be suggested that when feeding that one keeps the snakes apart for a certain length of time before putting back together. i found this out several times in my young days that has included alterna. Next would be documenting/montoring feedings. Sure one can do this while there are more snakes in a cage but it is a whole lot simpler when they are housed individually.

Chambo ( the fact and number guy )

I always feed in seperate boxes. That's not the issue. I just wanted to know if they would eat eachother if housed together. Has anyone had any trouble with this?

Some people have kept them together with no problems. Other people have gone months without a problem and then woke up one day with only one fat snake. Even with "non-snake eating snakes".

It has happened. Will it happen to you? Maybe, maybe not. You have to decide if it's worth the risk.

I have kept alerna together w/ certain precautions for over 20 years w/out a case of cannibalism. You can read more if you wish by looking at my posts of 8/28 & 7/18. Certainly cannibalism could occur in my collection tomorrow. My methods could definitely just be luck, but I will however, continue to try and be lucky. I need the cage space. DB

It is important to mention their are other reasons to keep snakes in seperate cages besides cannibalism. Disease, and parasites are certainly on the top of my list. I would tell anyone the same thing, keep snakes in seperate cages. If you can't afford large glass containers, try rubbermaid. It saves space, and still gives some room to move around.

Yes I know their could be lots of exceptions to the rule.
Ball Pythons come to mind as one. No matter what anyone says, unless it is during mating, I say Don't Hate, Seperate!

Steven Owens
Critsit

They're in plastic containers now. However, it is getting cold and I do not have heat tape and the funds for the wood to build a rack for them at the moment. What I do have is a UTH and a terrarium they can share.

I know these snakes are healthy and if I did see anything questionable, I would seperate them to give them all individual attention and medical treatment.

At this time, I just need to know if they will cannibalize eachother or not. I know the pros and cons...but fall is approaching. I'm afraid it will get too cold at night and I will lose them if I leave them as they are.

Do Gray Bands eat eachother or not? Some say do and some say don't. Does anyone have experience with this?

The answer is not cut and dry. No one here can give you an answer "yes, they will eat one another" or "no, you have absolutely nothing to worry about." All we can do is offer our personal experience. As I said before, I have had success housing females together for short periods of time (a few months). Do not keep your two males in the same cage - they will fight.

I have heard a few stories of alterna eating each other, all of which were small - hatchlings, and yearlings.

I have never personally heard of an adult alterna eating another adult.

There is an exhibit in the Philadephia Zoo Reptile House that holds at least a half dozen alterna of various sizes. The smallest is about two years and 24" and the largest is full grown and maybe 42". There is one male in there and the rest females. I spoke to the Lead Keeper there and he said that he had never had any problems in the 5 years that exhibit has been on display.

So, It is a decision you have to make. I have not had problems personally, but....

TA

That was just the sort of answer I was looking for! I know it's not cut and dry...that's why I was asking for other people's experience with it.