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Rainbows Interacting With Other Breeds...?

DominaEve Apr 19, 2005 12:11 PM

I have a Ball Python that is farely young. Not sure of his age when I bought him, but I think he's around 8-10 months old now. As most of you know I also have a Brazilian Rainbow Boa that is 3 years old.

My question comes about because I want to be able to have them out at the same time and handle them together. I have had a couple people tell me that I may have problems with different breeds interacting.

Do you think it's safe to handle them together? My Ball is still pretty small, and that is the only thing that concerns me a little. If for some reason my BRB decided to be agressive, I don't know if I could save the little guy ... and I really don't want that.

Both of them are very docile and sweet snakes. I have never seen any agression from either, but I guess this doesn't mean it can't happen if different breeds don't interact well. Do any of you have experience with your BRBs interacting with other breeds? Any advice would be most appreciated.
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~ Noel ~
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Replies (5)

igywigie Apr 19, 2005 05:48 PM

I have a ball python that is the most gentle snake ever, he never bites or hisses he wouldnt hurt a fly. now my brb on the other hand is a pisser. i have had them interact before, the first instance my BRB flipped out, he was running (or slithering really fast) away, and it made him hiss and bite at me and the other snake! he did not like it much at all. the python however seemed almost undterred by the presence of another snake

on another occasions ive had them out together, and they seem to be "warming" up to each other, the BRB doesnt strike at the ball python anymore, and now the BAll will retreat from the boa! basically i find they jsut want nothing to do with each other, and when each feels threaten the ball will run, the brb will bite.

Its pretty obvious that its just uneccessary stress for them both. but its too tempting sometimes to not love all my snakes equally at the same time.

btw my BRB is 5 inches shorter than the Ball, but the ball is much much thicker, obviously the ball has the size advantage but hes to docile to matter!

Chris Olson Apr 20, 2005 08:39 AM

Okay, I had a written a really long response to this last night but I accidentlly erased it. I'm still getting used to a laptop keyboard.

Anyways, I wouldn't, and here is why. Immune systems are programed by the circumstances of an animals environment. Not just over one generation, but throughout course of a species evolution. In other words, some animals are "programmed" to tolerate certain things (pathogens, parasites) other animals are not accustomed to dealing with. Your ball python and rainbow boa, as you know, are from two different hemispheres and may not react the same to a potential health problem. One example would be, ball pythons are more prone to dermatitis than brb's. Now all of that said, I doubt anything will happen, but luck favors the cautious and prepared.

Chris O
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www.chrisolsonreptiles.com
Naked I see the camp of those who desire nothing

DominaEve Apr 20, 2005 09:51 AM

Oh I hate it when that happens! After spending almost an hour composing a post one time, and then accidentally deleting it, I started writing my long posts and emails in a word document and save as I go.

Thanks to you Chris and igywigie for your responses. You brought up some points I had ot thought of. I guess sometimes even with the best of intentions you still shouldn't do some things.

Thanks
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~ Noel ~
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ravensgait Apr 21, 2005 04:27 PM

Noel, weather you want to try them together is really up to you. From a health stand point- do you keep them in separate rooms? After being around one do you wash up real well before being around the other? If not then I wouldn't worry about one giving the other something as you likely already would have done that.
Way back when I got my first Pythons and Boas I used to keep a male Ball and a male Red Tail together, they lived in the same cage for years and got along fine. Now I'm not saying this is something you should do but if you really want to try them around each other and find out how they get along.

Now that I'm older and hopefully a little smarter I don't mix animals together like that but I do keep some in pairs as I've mentioned here before. I know some disagree with doing that but it is a decision we make for ourselves.

If you want to see how they get along try them together on neutral ground where they can get away from each other if they want to. keep a close eye on them and if someone gets feisty then separate them and try again later. It sounds to me as if you just want to know if they can be around each other at times, maybe when you dance. If that is all you are looking to do then try them and see if they tolerate each other.
Randy

>>Oh I hate it when that happens! After spending almost an hour composing a post one time, and then accidentally deleting it, I started writing my long posts and emails in a word document and save as I go.
>>
>>Thanks to you Chris and igywigie for your responses. You brought up some points I had ot thought of. I guess sometimes even with the best of intentions you still shouldn't do some things.
>>
>>Thanks
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>>~ Noel ~
>>My Email
>>My Photos
>>
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I don't care if the glass is half full or half empty !
I just want the full glass I paid for !

DominaEve Apr 22, 2005 10:19 AM

>>If you want to see how they get along try them together on neutral ground where they can get away from each other if they want to. keep a close eye on them and if someone gets feisty then separate them and try again later. It sounds to me as if you just want to know if they can be around each other at times, maybe when you dance. If that is all you are looking to do then try them and see if they tolerate each other.
>>Randy

Yes, that's exactly what I was talking about. Thanks so muh for your input. I appreciate it, Randy. I may try it when Leviathan gets a little bigger.
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~ Noel ~
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