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I've just come acrross two reading with the verbiage "generally it is recommeded to keep them individually". That's not very concrete, and in general, that is always the case...

Can I keep two together in a 125 Gal, 6ft x 18" x 24" high?

Thanks,

Leon

You sure can keep a m/f pair together for their entire lives. What you have to know is that it's generally not recommened.

Assuming you already plan to feed singly, you will need to make a few other modifications. It would be best to supply 2 water bowls for soaking, 2 hides on both the cooler and warm side. If you are very observent you will know which defecates and/or passes urates MOST the time. It should be easy to know who sheds. Under these circumstances it would likely be okay until the female's second or third litter in a row. I would guess the female, being bred each year will have a reduced lifespan. I keep pairs together most the year. A female that is possibly gravid gets an individual enclosure and as they reach maturity they will have to be separated accordingly. So, if you're willing to take the risks, go for it.

>>I've just come acrross two reading with the verbiage "generally it is recommeded to keep them individually". That's not very concrete, and in general, that is always the case...
>>
>>Can I keep two together in a 125 Gal, 6ft x 18" x 24" high?
>>
>>Thanks,
>>
>>Leon

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"There is a principle which is a bar against all information, which is proof against all arguments and which cannot fail to keep a man in everlasting ignorance- that principle is contempt prior to investigation." Herbert Spencer

Thanks for very nice answer! Quick follow-up:

Will they breed anyway if I do absolutely nothing to encourage it (yes/no/maybe probability)?

>>>Under these circumstances it would likely be okay until the female's second or third litter in a row.

What changes thereafter? I do have a separation tank, just not as nice as the display tank...are you suggesting to keep them together all through the first couple of litters?

>>>A female that is possibly gravid gets an individual enclosure and as they reach maturity they will have to be separated accordingly

Who has to be "separated accordingly", the female and the young?

>>>>So, if you're willing to take the risks, go for it.

What risks specifically?

Once again, thank you very much!

Leon

Leon,
Many people do a winter cooling while reducing photoperiod to get their brb's ready to breed. Many people do not do anything and still having breeding boas. So to answer your question, I would say maybe, I don't know what type of probability you would have with either method. I'd guess 50/50.

The reason I said it should be okay until the second or third litter is because the female, if breed twice in 2 years with the production of babies each time will be under a tremendous amount of stress and could die. It seems the breeders whose interest include happy, healthy long-living snakes would not allow breeding this frequently.

I personally have been keeping brb's in pairs. When my young ones are old enough to be bred they will be in individual enclosures to prevent accidental breedings or put with a suitable mate.

If I have a possibly gravid female she has her own enclosure to reduce stress and competition for suitable spots to rest and so she will not be exposed to the urates or feces of another snake...not that I'd leave the excrement...just happens when I'm not home sometimes. I also take out the babies as soon as I think she's done with the process.

The risks are that you don't always know who is doing what and if there is an illness it will most likely affect the entire enclosure.

Linda