Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Hi, I'm going to be adopting an eastern fox snake this weekend and I was wondering if there would be any problem with keeping it in the same enclosure as my current snow corn. Both are adults. The fox is about 4 feet long and the corn is about 2 1/2 feet. Do you think this would lead to undue stress or would they enjoy the company? Thanks.

No way would I keep those two together. For one thing how about quarantining the new snake. i always keep a new snake away from my current collection, for at least a month. I check for mites, I check the stools to see if they look normal, I look for skin problems and Respiratory infection. But apart from that, it will cause stress on the snakes to be housed together. Do your snakes a favor and house them separately.

>>Hi, I'm going to be adopting an eastern fox snake this weekend and I was wondering if there would be any problem with keeping it in the same enclosure as my current snow corn. Both are adults. The fox is about 4 feet long and the corn is about 2 1/2 feet. Do you think this would lead to undue stress or would they enjoy the company? Thanks.

>>>>It is best to keep snakes separate. Especially different species.
Yes, a lot of people do, and have, kept snakes together but there is no true benefit to it.
There are definite drawbacks, though.
If one becomes sick there is a very good likelihood the other one will get sick as well.
It may also take a while (usually too long) to determine which one is the sick one.
If one regurgitates its food you won't know which one unless you happen to get lucky and see it.
If one has a problem stool you won't know which one.
Although a slight possibility, it has happened, one could eat the other. The smell of a prey item could trigger one snake to eat the other.
Like I said, this doesn't happen often but it has happened and is a possibility.
One or both of the snakes could be stressed by the presence of the other. Stress can cause a drop in appetite and lead to other health problems as well.
People will put multiple snakes in an enclosure and ask why one isn't eating.
When they are told it is probably due to stress caused by the other snake, the response is almost always "they like each other, they are always under the same hide together". Well this probably just means that hide or area of the tank has the optimum conditions they are looking for.
Snakes do not LIKE each other or ENJOY each other’s company.
So, in my opinion it is best to house them separate.
There are many reasons to keep them separate but no GOOD reasons to house them together.
I have usually found that when a person asks this question on the forum they have already made up their mind.
So, if you decide to keep them together, watch them closely. Keep detailed records. Lack of appetite and problem sheds can both be signs of stress, as can regurgitation.
If you see any signs of stress separate the snakes.
Also, be sure to feed them in separate containers and give them time to settle their feeding urge before placing them back together.

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Corn snakes and rat snakes..No one can have just one.
"resistance is futile"
Jimmy (draybar)

Draybars Snakes

I like your pics a lot. What is that one? I have to confess I have used your pics as my desktop picture before. Right now your snake (Jacob I think it is) is on my computer at school. My third graders dig it. I tend to change my pic a lot, but Jacob has been up for a while now. Thanks for sharing.

>>I like your pics a lot. What is that one? I have to confess I have used your pics as my desktop picture before. Right now your snake (Jacob I think it is) is on my computer at school. My third graders dig it. I tend to change my pic a lot, but Jacob has been up for a while now. Thanks for sharing.

Thanks Janel.
That pic is of Strider my male creamsicle.
I received him as a rescue from a friend in Florida.
I have always wondered if there might be some grey rat in the mix with his slight frosted look but according to the rehabber, he is supposedly guttata/emoryi.

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Corn snakes and rat snakes..No one can have just one.
"resistance is futile"
Jimmy (draybar)

Draybars Snakes

Do yourself and both your snakes a favor: Run out right now and get another cage. If price is an issue...Go to Wal*Mart and get a big Sterilite, Rubbermaid, etc. Use a woodburner or soldering iron to put lots of airholes in it (do this in a well-ventilated area).

Eastern Fox, eh? Excellent! That's one of the snakes on my wish list. I love all the North American Ratsnakes (including the corns), and the E. Fox is an interesting and unique animal.

Good luck with it. Is it captive born or wild caught? If wild, how long has it been in captivity and doing well? Duffy

dont be cheap, just buy a new cage for it. its not like your buying the snake. if you cant provide for it dont take it.