Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Could I successfully have 2 snakes share a large tank? Are there any perticular species that are more compatible then others? What kind of problems could occur?What would your suggest? I've had pythons and colubrids for years, but never thought to try a "group" enclosure. Thanks

Adam
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ALLIGATOR SNAPPING TURTLE (Captive Bred, 4 1/2 inches)

Hey Adam,
There are all sorts of excellent reasons not to keep more than one snake per enclosure: feeding problems, health issues, size considerations, etc. I have 46 snakes in my collection right now and they all have their own container from Rubbermade to Neodosha cages. They get fed in Rubbermade containers of a size suitable to their size, from '04 neonates to 6' Bulls. Having said that, however, back in the darkages, when I didn't "know I was doing it wrong" I had all sorts of things together. I have a polaroid of an aquarium with a gravid Sonoran Gopher, a Red Racer and a normal cornsnake. Another polaroid has a hi white Cal. King I caught in near Joshua Tree, a Castal female Banded Cal. King I caught in Brea, CA. (I lived in Calif. at the time), a Striped/Banded (now called abberant) Cal. King from north of Temecula, and a Blk/White Banded King from a couple miles south of the Scissors in Anzo-Borrego Desert. Both groups were kept this way for several years with no problems. The Kings bred and I got an interesting mix of patterns. I also got about 16 in the Sonoran hatch. I also kept several Boas together, several types of pythons, a couple of Desert species mix tanks, and a mixed Ratsnake tank. Feeding was always a challenge but I had only one mishap in ten years when I had to seperate a 6' African Rock Python from a 7' Retic when they tried to eat the same Rat. The snakes came out OK but I paid the price for my stupidity as I had the two snakes trying to kill and eat my arms, one on each arm!! I think I had so few problems because I kept the cages spotless, I observed the snakes and knew how they would react, and, they were well fed. I have been "enlightened" by other keepers so now they are seperate!. And it is really easier to keep them clean (I am real Obsessive about cleanliness! Always have been, always will be!) Can you keep more than one snake to an enclosure? Sure!!! Would I do it? No way!!! That's my $ .02.

Pat Glazener-Cooney