Reptile & Amphibian Forums

im considering getting a cornsnake and was wondering if two can be housed together in a 36*12*18 terrarium if not what are the dimensions to house two together. also can cypress mulch be used as a substrate.

n/p

There are many beliefs, ideas and opinions on the subject so why not voice my own.
It is not truly worth the risk. Yes, there are a lot of people who keep multiple corns together with success, BUT,
there are things to consider.
If one of the snakes regurgitates its food or has a runny stool there is no way to tell which one has the problem.
If one gets sick it is a pretty high likelihood that the other will also.
Some corns are stressed by the presence of other snakes. You might have one or both of the snakes have eating problems and possibly other problems due to stress.
There is always a chance of cannibalism. Even if you separate the snakes when feeding there is the possibility that the lingering smell of mouse could trigger a feeding response in one of the snakes. On feeding day you have two and the next day you look into the container to see only one and that one is extremely full. There is also a good chance that this hatchling could die if it can't digest a meal of that size. Cannibalism isn't common but it has happened. It IS a possibility.
If you keep a male and female together you could be asking for trouble. There is always the chance they will breed before the female is actually old enough or large enough to carry the eggs successfully. She could become eggbound and even die. Also fairly uncommon but it has been known to happened. Rare yes but it IS possible.
So, you say well I'll keep two males or two females together. Most people who acquire hatchlings do not know their sex. It is easy for even experienced breeders to miss-sex very young snakes. Some people won't find out the sex of their snakes until later on but will rationalize "well, they've been together this long, it shouldn't be a problem." but it Can be a problem.
I have done both without problem but have made a choice to keep them separate. There is no clear argument on why you should keep them together but there are clear arguments as to why you should not.
So, in my opinion, although people do it successfully I just don't think it is worth the risk.
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Remember, My posts are MY opinion only!
Jimmy (draybar)

.......I currently have 12 snakes and 11 cages...Two beautiful little Okeetee corns that I got in December are cohabitating...And they are a male and female!!! They are not even yearlings yet, and will each have their own "digs" well before THAT becomes an issue. Both are doing GREAT, but you better believe that there would be a change in living quarters first sign of trouble. I have kept 2 snakes together several times in the past, but never into adulthood. Jimmy's right...No really good reason to keep them together, and lots of reasons NOT to. It should never be, IMHO, your "long-term" plan. And not a good idea for the beginner who may not see trouble coming until it is too late. Duffy

thank you for replying so mow i ot going topu two together, by the way are corn snakes noctornal

>>thank you for replying so mow i ot going topu two together, by the way are corn snakes noctornal

Yes, they tend to be more nocturnal then diurnal.
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Remember, My posts are MY opinion only!
Jimmy (draybar)