Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Hi, im a newb to snakes (have had many lizards) and was thinking of getting a ball pythong. But i have a simple question, that most care sheets dont seem to address, can i house two ball pythons together, given the correct requirments? How about 2 males, or are they territorial?

Thanks for any help

From what I understand they prefer to be alone in their own cage. I've got two and I keep them seperated because one is an adult and one is a small juvenile. I have heard of people housing two together, but I also know people that reccomend against it. Sorry I can't be of more help.

Circusfan

Balls are pretty much solitary animals by nature and only come together to breed. Most people recommend against housing them together mainly because it could cause stress in the snakes which could lead to a variety of illnesses and if one gets sick, they will both get sick. Yadda Yadda

With that being said, it can and has been done. If you are responsible it can be done successfully, if not, you'll end up with sick (or worse) snakes. I would recomend against housing two males together as they may combat when they reach breeding size. I've seen many people house two females together without incident or a male and female (but then theres the breeding thing you have to be ready for). It's extra work to house two snakes together (the bigger cage in general is a pain in the a$$). You have to provide enough room that they can seek solitude if they want, they need to have their own hides in hot and cold areas, it's important that they don't have to compete for basic needs. They need to be removed from their cage and fed separately. If you get a pair of hatchlings and raise them together then they will be more likly to adapt to (and maybe even find comfort in) the other snakes presents. Hope this helps.
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Tosha

8.10.0 Ball Python (Harry and Fluffy and currently un-named)
0.2.0 Feline (Pippen and Pandora)
0.0.1 Dessert Tortoise (Pope)
7.9.5 Fish (1,2,3,4...)
0.0.1 Frog rescued from pool skimmer
0.0.2 Lizards rescued from pool skimmer

Hi

I have two ball pythons.My first was a male and then I bought a female a year later. I house them together in a large aquarium. The female was a baby when I got her and both she and the male get along fine. Always have. When I feed them, I feed the female first because she is a beast and will eat as often as I offer food. The male is more patient so while she is eating I offer him a mouse. If he doesn't want it, the female will eat it. I have one large basket that I cut the handle off of and cut a hole in for a hide box and I have a large piece of drift wood that goes from one side of the aquarium to the other at an angle. Both snakes are thriving and get along fine. Most times they curl up together in the basket. Good luck.