` It's because of those five snakes in particular. It is not because Anacondas, Ball Pythons , or Boa constrictors have any special adaptability to communal housing. I have other Boas, including some Anacondas which I wouldn't dream of mixing with other snakes due to aggressive feeding behavior. It does seem that males are better suited, however.
` There are many other reasons besides behavior not to house snakes communally. I've had those five for years, so I don't consider disease, or parasite transmission, to be a risk for those five. I consider one year to be just an adequate quarantine period. Also, for a few weeks after feeding, which I do about 9 to 10 times a year for adults, I've really got to keep up with sanitation. Seventy five pounds of Boids can make a bunch of feces. That is why I use newspaper as a substrate. Also, these snakes never get live food, and are separated for feeding.
` Environmentally, when the Ball ( and the Boa ) get the very humid conditions that the Anaconda's habitat produce, they thrive. That fat old Ball never fasts, and when he sheds, it comes off in one piece, every time! There are so many desiccated Ball Pythons out there, it is a shame.
` It's not so much that they get along. Boids are pretty simple animals. With certain individuals, when their environmental conditions are right, and they are not starving, they just don't care about their bunkmates. I heat the entire floor of the cage, so there is no competition for a basking spot, yet they usually sleep in a pile. I have two heated soaking containers, but they usually all pile into one, and make it overflow, lol. The big male Anaconda is the only one in that community who is much larger than the others. His feeding response is so mellow, I can hand feed him, and he takes food without striking or constricting. He likes about 4 pounds of food, then he's not interested in any more. After he's full, he will sit nose to nose with more food, but not eat it, even letting me take it away. So, I don't worry about him making a meal of the smaller snakes.
` I don't advocate that snake hobbyists keep their animals communally. There are just too many risks to the snakes. I believe that years of experience, with each snake individually, is necessary before taking any risks with their well-being!
` I like to post my pictures, as photography is my other hobby. I like showing what is possible outside the narrow confines of the common dogma. I must admit that I don't mind ticking off those dogmatic and didactic nitwits out there, who must react in outrage that something is being done, of which they don't approve. They even get upset when things outside their prejudices are discussed! I believe that that type of mind-set is the basis for the world's tragic situation.
` Just remember this: If you go throwing snakes together, on a whim, you're liable to create some awful, and likely fatal conditions for your pets.
`
Yum, just one more!
He just can't eat that last one. No problem, the Ball is the garbage disposal.
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I know that with blood pythons, keeping other snakes in their enclousures is one of the worst things you can do, but clearly you know what you're doing -- how is it that the two snakes can get along?