Reptile & Amphibian Forums

i have 2 corns that seem to like eachother...i am thinking about getting a 40 gallon and putting them together but ive read several posts before saying it can lead to stress? i feed them out of there enclosures and when i take them out and let them see eachother they sometimes just sit together...i am still going to get a 40 as my amel corn is out growing her 20 quickly...i know it says they only need a 20 long but i personally prefer to give them more space to grow and move...anyway there size difference isnt too big length wise but the amel is much bigger...does anyone think they would have problems?

I actually keep five adult corns, all male, in a ten gallon, with a 100 watt bulb. They always fight, tryin' to keep their heads above the rest, but one always ends up on top.

This is just sarcasm, people!

I don't think it'll make that big of a difference to keep two in the 40 gallon, but if I were you, I'd keep an eye out, just to see how it goes the first few days. Is one dominating the other? Are there enough hide boxes? Got a big enough water dish or dishes? I've put two adults in a 40 gal. together, but then found out they were both males (one sold as a female), so I seperated them. So, I guess what I'm tryin' to say is, it's up to you. It can be done. I can promise you that you are not torturing your snakes by putting two snakes in a 40 gal. I always like to offer tons of hiding places, but that's just me.

AJ
King Donut Eater
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1.0 Hypo Okeetee - Wesley (Princess Bride)
0.1 Ghost - Sydney (Scream)
2.0 Striped Amel - Jay and Aiden (Kevin Smith movies)
1.0 Snow - Silent Bob (Kevin Smith movies)
0.1 Anery - Columbia (Rocky Horror)
1.0 Creamcicle - Brandon (Mallrats)
0.1 Zig Zag Anery - Pepper (didn't name her)
0.1 Normal - Bindy (Croc. Hunter)
0.1 Motley - Craven (Underworld)

It depends. Are your snakes male, female or one of each sex?
Certainly it easier to keep the snakes healthier if they are apart. Diseases and parasites won't spread (or spread more rarely) and there won't be a question who threw up or had a problematic stool. It's easier to avoid unwanted pregnancies and to be sure of the genetic background of your neonates if there's only one possibility for father. There are stories about juvenile corns actually eating each other (does anyone know of this happening with like sized adults?). Feeding requires extra care.
That said, I think my two (a mated pair) are happier together. They are more active when they are together, and they usually choose to curl up together. When the female was ready to lay eggs I separated them (since the male was prone to sleep in the nest box). I may be anthropormorphising here, but I swear he sulked.
Finances and available space may dictate you answer. If you do put them together watch them closely especially during the first few days and nights, feed them separately (to avoid each snake latching on to one side of the mouse), and be prepared to separate them if you see signs of aggression (probably most likely between two males). (I'm only guessing, but it's possible a new domestic arrangement may work better (especially for two males) if you wait until after mating season has passed).
Good Luck
Corinne
dragonfly@w-link.net

yeah i give my one 5 hides right now its smaller...id say 30 inches long and aboutt the size of a nickel...she eats bigg tho she eats 2 smaller fuzzys a week and still hunrgy sometimes lol..the amel is about 38 inches and as thick as a toonie...i would feed seperate..the amel is female i think, im gonna get them both probed..i would plan on giving them several hides on warm and cool and a water dish each...im hoping they are seperate sex because the amel...im almost sure shes female is ready to breed and i would want them to do it when they are ready...im thinking of trying without brumating but keeping them in a dark area and lowering the light schedules...instead of 10 hours a day 6 for example....anyway just a thought...i think i will try and see how they do after i find the sexes...if not i am going to get an opposite sex and try them together if they like eachother ne way thanks for the thoughts
Chuck

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 still a slight 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. This is also more-or-less uncommon but it has happened.
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 housed corn snakes and rat snakes together and separately without problems but have made a choice to house them separately, now. There is no clear argument as to 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)