Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Ok, I'm sorry if this is a tired subject, but I tried searching the archives without sucess. I have a awsome, large, cage, it 4'tall x 4'wide x 2' deep, it has a bottom level with a hole for access to a second level and one more half shelf for a top area, (the idea was to create lots of surface area)and a large open area with a grapevine climbing tree. It has 4 hide boxes and a large water pan to provide drinking water and humidity, daytime and night time heat and even full spectrum lighting (all lighting on timers). Ok, I have a 2 1/2 year old female JCP from VPI stock, and I'm wanting to buy a male,'04 holdback, from a friend, keep him by himself until he has some size to him (about 6 mo. to a year) and then house him in this huge cage with the female. I understand that housing them together will make them less interested in breeding (much like my wife unfortunately) but breeding is not my primary interest at this point (the snake, not the wife), I just want to have two snakes in there, so I have double the (double the enjoyment)chances of seeing one out, and being able to hold one that's not about to shed, just ate, etc. MY QUESTION, what are the pros and cons of housing two jungle carpets together in one huge tank?

Sounds like the cage is large enough to house two, but there are concerns:
First, housing two snakes together usually makes the living conditions more unsanitary increasing the chances of them getting sick.

Secondly, two snakes will usually argue over the best hide spots and heated areas leading to a dominate snake and a subordinate snake....leading to stress on both individuals. I would never feed two snakes in the same enclosure, that's a good way to lose one while the other is fat and happy with a snake in it's belly.

Thirdly, there are other reasons so it's just a good idea not to do it unless you are attempting to breed them.

You may do it and have no problems at all, but you open your collection up to the risk envolved if you do it. Hope that helps a little.