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KEEPING 2 SNAKES IN ONE TANK?

dacuban1 Dec 03, 2003 12:19 PM

I HAVE A 55 GALL FISH TANK. IM THINKING ABOUT GETTING A CORN BUT I WAS WONDERING IF ITS OK TO PUT 2 CORN SNAKE IN MY 55 GAL TANK. IF SO HOW SHOULD I SET UP THE HEAT FOR THEM. HOPE I CAN CAUSE 2 CORNS IN A NICE DECORATED 55 GAL WOULD LOOK NICE IN MY LIVING ROOM. IM NEW TO CORNS SO PLEASE DONT MINE IF I ASK A FEW STUPID QUESTIONS SOMETIMES. THANX FOR THE HELP.

ALEX

Replies (9)

smokeysshadow Dec 03, 2003 01:33 PM

Some would disagree, but you should be perfectly fine keeping two snakes in the same cage. Set up the heat pad as usual(part of the cage warm, part of it room temp.), but just make shure to feed them seperatly. Also, make sure to clean the cage more often. I curently keep all of my snakes seperatly, but have kept roommates before with no problems.-smokey

dacuban1 Dec 03, 2003 01:56 PM

DO YOU THINK ITS BETTER TO PUT ONE OF THOSE AQUARIUM DEVIDERS TO SEPERATE THEM AND PUT THE HEAT PAD IN THE MIDDLE SO THEY BOTH CAN GET THE SAME HEAT. THIS WAY THEY CAN HAVE THERE OWN PRIVACY. I DONT KNOW SOUNDS PRETTY GOOD WHAT DO YU THINK?

tourmalinequeen Dec 03, 2003 02:28 PM

I agree with smokey, I have a pair of corns in a cage and they are fine, with no divider. Hatchlings I have mostly two to four to a tank depending on size. I suppose they are like people with different idiosynchracies and personalities (?) , maybe keep an eye on them at first, but I think they will do just fine. Feed them separate of course.

Gargoyle420 Dec 03, 2003 03:07 PM

Watch for stress.Having 2 snakes together can stress one or both out.The divider sounds like a good game plan.You can have a piece of glass cut to fit a 55.Just remember if you keep them together and one gets sick and dies it's just a waiting game for the other....Paul..

DACUBAN1 Dec 03, 2003 03:28 PM

DO YOU THINK 1 HEAT PAD IS ENOUGH FOR THE 55?

Gargoyle420 Dec 03, 2003 08:16 PM

Are you gonna use a human heating pad or a reptile mat?Both will work but if you get a reptile heating mat get one twice the size you think you will need...Paul.

x1purpleXhaze1x Dec 03, 2003 08:53 PM

i would just get 2, they arent that expensive
IMO
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0.0.1 pacific gopher snake ; Mich
0.0.1 amel corn snake ; Andy
0.0.1 motley corn snake ; Shmee

carol Dec 03, 2003 07:33 PM

You can sucessfully keep two corns together, but there is also a lot that can grow wrong. I personally keep most of my corns housed alone, but I do have a few females that sharge a cage while I am making room for them. Honestly though, if I have a certain one that is either very expensive or one of my favorites, I can assure you I won't take the risk. Here are some cons...

1. One or both corns may get stressed out. A beginner keeper may not even notice the signs of a stressed out corn and prolonged stress can lead to illness.

2. It will be nearly impossible to tell who is the culprit if someone regurges or leaves other "clues" to illness in the cage.

3. If the two snakes are not from the same source a quanantine time of at least six months is advised or they can transmit parasites to one another. It is impossible to quarntine if kept together.

4. If the snakes are a sexual pair and not of breeding age, they will breed before the female is physically able to handle the demands of breeding and can very likly lead to fatal complications and perhaps unwanted hatchlings.

5. If it is a sexual pair and they are breeding size, they will breed. Female corns need to be alone while they are gravid, and having another snake in there will only stress out the female during a time where she should be made as content as possible. This also can lead to fatel complications with egg-laying.

6. Lone males put together may fight unexpectedly and suddenly during mating season. One day they may be fine, the other they may be engaged in a battle.

7. I have heard of a few instances that even though the corns were fed separately, when put back together in the same cage one "smelled" the lingering mouse smell on the other and constricted it's cagemate to death.

8. Caniballism in corns is not THAT rare. I've seen hatchlings attempt it in my own home both this year and last.

I am sure there is some I left out, but those are some serious risks to consider before you decide. Oh yeah, I forgot the pros.

1. It saves you a little bit of space.

dacuban1 Dec 04, 2003 06:55 AM

thanx guys for all your help im going to try with a divider for a while and see how that works if i see anything unusual i will seperate them ill keep you guys informed of how the divider works. thanx again guys.

alex

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