Reptile & Amphibian Forums

What size cage does an adult ball python need? Can ball pythons live together?
thanks
coatal herper

1.0 ball python
1.0 hybrid milk
1.0 cally king
1.0 bearded dragon

For an adult sized ball python, a cage that is 3' x 2' or 4' x 2' will suffice. Many folks keep their bp's in rack systems in smaller boxes and they do fine too, however, I feel that if you can give them a bit more room, that is better. I have several bp's in their 20's/30's and beyond who spent much of their life in racks but I have changed my philosophy to try to give them more room and a more enriching life. I would recommend not keeping more than one in the same cage (except during breeding). Hope this helps.
Rob Carmichael, Director/Curator
The Wildlife Discovery Center at Elawa Farm
City of Lake Forest Parks & Recreation

Carmichael,
Why wouldn't you recommend housing bp's together? I've housed up to 4 together before, with no problems at all. I don't know if this affects the chances of breeding them or not. Mine never bred, they were all within breeding range but breeding them wasn't my goal. So it didn't matter to me.

boapythonfool

Why don't you keep bp's together.

Ball pythons are not social animals.
They may look all cute "cuddled up together" but the only thing they are doing is trying to keep warm.
Keeping more than one BP in a cage stresses them out whether or not you want to believe it.

If they get stressed they don't eat,
if they don't eat they get sick
if they get sick you can't tell WHO is sick so you have to take ALL of them to the vet

That is going to be a BIG vet bill for even 2 snakes much less 4.

There can and eventually will be fights and or breeding.

The only reason to keep Ball Pythons living together is breeding purposes. Even then it is only temperory.

All other "purposes" of keeping Ball Pythons living together is purely for the person that owns them.
If you can't afford to keep each Ball Python in a seperate enclosure then you shouldn't own one. If you can't afford to keep each in a seperate enclsure then you can't afford the vet bill.

A good size for an "adult" bp (say about 4ft) is 3ft long by 18in wide x 18 inches tall.
I have both my ball pythons in 4ft long rubbermaid like containers with their UTH (under tank heaters) hooked up to a lamp dimmer so the temps stays perfectly between 90-95 degrees.

If you want another GREAT snake site to go to let me know and I will give you the URL.
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1.1 Ball Python, 0.1 motley amel corn

Did you notice that I wrote "housed" as of in the past? Oh yeah and during the whole time that I had them together they never refused a meal. I had them in a 6'x3', just in case you wanted to know. I also had boa constrictors, blood pythons, a few burmese pythons. They all got check-ups by my vet($45 each), so trust me I can afford the vet. As far as cages go I had 6 but they were all lost in a fire. I bought 3 new cages, I believe the cheapest one was $189. So, yeah I think I can afford cages as well. I currently have two ball pythons, yes housed together. Even tough I haven't had them for a long time, they too haven't refused a meal. I appreciate you trying to give me advice but I've been keeping snakes for a few years and never had one get sick or die cause of improper care. The last boa that I had had a bad respiratory infection when I got her. I took her to the vet, got her some medication and fully recovered her. Again, she had it when I got her. None of my snakes have refused a meal, not even a WC pair that I had and sold. Bottom line, I don't see a problem with housing snakes together. As long as they have been quarantined & get along, they should be fine. That's my opinion.
thanks again,
boapythonfool

To me there are just too many risks and I personally don't think it's worth it. I know many people have good luck with housing multiple snakes together and many have problems. I think that those who have a lot of experience seem to have more success and making it work. It seems those that usually end up with the problems are too new at keeping snakes and do it for convenience or to save space, etc - they usually don't even have the setup correct for one snake let alone more than one. It's a matter of personal opinion and more for the owner.

I could afford to take care of any vet bills etc that may result from housing multiples together, but I personally choose not to for both my own and the snakes well-being. But again, I think someone with years of experience keeping snakes (not just one) who knows the risks and is prepared (emotionally and financially) to properly handle any problems that arise could make it work.

Just my opinion
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1.0 Ball Python
"Aragorn"

1.0 Kenyan Sand Boa
"Gimli"

0.1 Australian Cattle Dog/Pointer
"Kira"

Rob Carmichael, arent you the guy with the 50 year old ball python? If so, i dont see why anyone would be questioning your advice.

Rob Woods

Not quite 50 but certainly well into his 40's (and I have been working with/breeding this species for many, many years). Unfortunatley, people don't want to hear what is best for the snake...only what they want to hear (so why ask?).

np

Carmichael,
I didn't mean to contradict you, your advise is good. I'm just saying that I've never had a problem housing a few snakes together. However, that has been my personal experience. Other than that sorry if I responded in a matter that seemed otherwise. Sincerly,
boapythonfool