Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I have a pair of ball pythons that currently live together. This June they will turn 2 years old each. They have been living together fine thus far, and I will continue with this. I am curious as to how much longer I should allow them to live together before they start to become interested in mating. I have no desire to breed them, and do not want them to start mating early because I know it can lead to a decreased growth rate. (Of which I'm not looking to have happen either). Any information on this would be greatly appreciated.

~Nick

I also have the same question! I have an 02 male (700 g) with an 03 female (180 g). They live in a 4 foot by 2 foot by 2 foot tank, so they have lots of room, and they SEEM to really enjoy each others company....but will I run into problems with the male nearing breeding age? Will he try to muck with the female even though she is not even close to being ready to breed?
I am thinking about ditching my larger tank and moving to a rack type system because I still live at home and they gave me the smallest bedroom there is (10 by 13)! I was hoping to clear up a bit more room.
Thanks
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*Amy*
0.1 Green Iguana (yes, I have a lizard in my bathroom)-iggy
2.1 Ball Pythons (normal)-cosi, jake, and frosty mcfry
0.1 B.smithi (mexican redknee tarantula)-athena
0.0.1 midland painted turtle-nemo
1.1 dogs-rocky and skippy
1.0 normal grey cockatiel-opie
0.0.30 betta, guppies, rosy reds, fantail goldfish, clown pleco,...

>>I also have the same question! I have an 02 male (700 g) with an 03 female (180 g). They live in a 4 foot by 2 foot by 2 foot tank, so they have lots of room, and they SEEM to really enjoy each others company....but will I run into problems with the male nearing breeding age? Will he try to muck with the female even though she is not even close to being ready to breed?
>>I am thinking about ditching my larger tank and moving to a rack type system because I still live at home and they gave me the smallest bedroom there is (10 by 13)! I was hoping to clear up a bit more room.

I personally wouldn't keep them together at all and then you won't have the stress and neither will they.
What you see as 'seeming' to enjoy each other's company and 'hanging out together' is competing for the best heat and hide spots. They do not live together in the wild, are not social animals and 'company' is not something they 'need'.
As too youngest possible breeding age/weight. Got me. I wouldn't hope for the best. I would separate them.

As a personal aside.......my three kids share a bedroom that big! Does that make you feel more fortunate?? As someone who has lived many years in a tiny house....use vertical space...get tall shelving etc to minimize floor space used.
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Sonya

Failure is not an option. It comes bundled with the software.

I too have lived many years in a small house! At one point we had 6 kids living in a three bedroom house!

I agree that ultimately it is a wise decision to separate the snakes at one point. However, I don't feel that the snakes are always by each other because they are competing for basking/hideboxes. I have two of everything...except I only have one humidity box (which is large enough for both of them). But when I have 4 hideboxes why do both snakes feel it is necessary to hide under the newspaper together(and one one leaves the other follows)...also if one climbs up to chill the other one goes too...the literally follow eachother everywhere, and I have a great temperature gradient! I understand ball pythons are not naturally social, but I don't think they are causing each other stress as of this moment. Granted I definetly agree with your reply about the stress that is due to come with the male reaching maturity!
thanks for the advice!
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*Amy*
0.1 Green Iguana (yes, I have a lizard in my bathroom)-iggy
2.1 Ball Pythons (normal)-cosi, jake, and frosty mcfry
0.1 B.smithi (mexican redknee tarantula)-athena
0.0.1 midland painted turtle-nemo
1.1 dogs-rocky and skippy
1.0 normal grey cockatiel-opie
0.0.30 betta, guppies, rosy reds, fantail goldfish, clown pleco,...

>>I agree that ultimately it is a wise decision to separate the snakes at one point. However, I don't feel that the snakes are always by each other because they are competing for basking/hideboxes. I have two of everything...except I only have one humidity box (which is large enough for both of them).

I have three chairs in front of the tv....so why do the kids fight over the one? It is somehow better. I really don't believe it is for company with the snakes. (I KNOW it isn't for the kids either!)

But when I have 4 hideboxes why do both snakes feel it is necessary to hide under the newspaper together(and one one leaves the other follows)...also if one climbs up to chill the other one goes too...the literally follow each other everywhere, and I have a great temperature gradient!

I read this as competition. Picture two kids wanting the same chair....muscling each other to try to get it without making mom yell. It is the same reason that, especially when one is in heat, my two female border collies follow each other room to room....why they both lay at my feet, meet me at the door etc, why, if one follows the cat the other jumps up too.....they are competing for the best spots and situations, and if one thinks the other has the best the other is gonna check it out. NO, I don't think comparing mammals and reptiles is necessarily totally valid...but I think it is an okay analogy here. No, snakes aren't social, pack animals and that is coming into play with the dogs....but the snakes are competing.
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Sonya

Failure is not an option. It comes bundled with the software.