Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Hi; I presently have an adult male ATB, and I was wondering if some of you could share your experiences with keeping a pair together, or if it is totally unadviseable to do so?

I have many species of reptiles, and I know many are best housed separately, but I have not read much on this subject with ATB's. I have heard that feeding could possibly become problematic, but was wondering how it goes otherwise.

Thanx

Freight

I have had a breeding pair together for several months now, no problems here. I know it's a bad idea to keep 2 males together since they can be territorial.

I keep pairs together as well and have had no problems. I actually have better luck with breeding on the ones I keep together year round. Feeding is a pain, but it seems to be individual. I have some that wrap it up and mind their own business and I have a few that have to go see what the other one is doing. So, if you can, seperate them while feeding or itll take up a little of your time.

I kept my pair together for several months. Just watch them when feeding as stated before. I guess that's how I ended up with babies!? My pair are separated now so as to give the female a year off from breeding. She had her babies about a month ago, and still looks pretty thin.

There's a friend of mine that's a biologist in Bellevue Wa., Bob Macken. He's been breeding ATB's since the 80's, I got my first pair from him in '97. He has always kept his together, with no problems. A few years ago I bought, what I was told was a female, and after a quarantine I placed it in with a male, later I found out it was a male, and even after introducing another female, and both males copulating with her, I haven't had any aggressive behavior between the two males.
-Phil

I appreciate you all confirming my hopes for a promising pairing of ATB's. Since I work with a variety of reptiles I have experienced both success and failure in pairing certain species. We even have 2 gay male Hingeback tortoises as the result of an unlikely pairing that pine for each other when separated.

When I see our hale ATB out at night I can't help but think that he would be happier with a companion, so I'll now see if I can come up with a suitable female at the next herp show in October. I'f anyone has any possible candidates please let me know!

One last question: Any particulars with breeding healthy babies, just in case we end up with a gravid female?

Thank you all again!

Freight

Year around I keep them together with no prblems but feeding hassle...I had one male take food from his girl and I took it from him and gave it to her. There was never a problem. I treat them almost like kids when they are mean to each other (never anything besides the feeding). They are also the ONLY snakes I keep together. I dont see any problems besides knowing whos poop is whos.