Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I have a ball python that is about two feet long and he's my first snake. Recently, I discovered the Dumeril's Boa and now I really want one. They seem to be pretty awesome snakes and I handled one for a while. It's a great snake. I am just wondering if it would be okay to house a Dumeril's Boa with the same size Ball python. I have heard some things about canabalism. If they are the same size and are well fed, would that be much of a problem? I have heard mainly no's on the subject and would love for more opinions. Please let me know! Thanks!

mixing species isnt a very smart thing even though im sure there have been numerous times when this is ok, i still dont reccomend it since they come from two different parts of the world since dumerils also get a lot bigger than ball pythons so you will have to move it to a much bigger cage so getting a big enough cage for it now would be wise

The reason you see so many people posting negatively to this sort of topic is because it is a bad idea. Could you crate your dog and your pet bunny together to save space? Yes, but is it the right thing to do, no.

Even if the species wasn't cannibalistic (which they are), and even if ball pythons weren't finicky eaters already (which they are), and even if they weren't different species which require different environments and cage sizes (dums like it much cooler, and need a bigger enclosure...4 feet by 2 feet for an adult), it would still be a bad idea, as snakes are solitary animals, and don't like "friends".

I have 40 snakes as pets, and they all have their own enclosures unless they are actively breeding! I have to do what is best for the snakes, and every time I bring one into my house, I am prepared to fork out a lot of money to keep them comfortable.

Good Luck!
-----
Thanks,
Amy
My Boids

If you want to get a new snake, and If you were willing to risk it and keep them together, you would want to buy another cage anyway to quarentine the new snake. Even if you buy from a responsible breeder, it still could be sick. It is also possible that you could quarentine the new snake, find nothing wrong, but it could be carrying an illnesss that would be more dangerous to your ball python.
I'm not saying that it is impossible to keep two different snakes together, but I would not suggest it.

I moved across country from cali to fla. One cage was damaged in the move. Had to House my 8ft female dumi with my 6 1/2ft female ball. Came home one day to a dead ball python. 3/4 of her body was slimmy. What do you think happened. Never make that mistake again. Stick it in the closed, but not in the cage.