Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I'm considering a ATB as my next snake. I have read quite a bit about hem but I can't seem to find anything about housing them together. Anyone know if this is a bad idea? I'm going to make a large cage and I was considering adding a divider if I decided to get two for a possible breeding project.

Housing two together really isn't a great idea because of feeding mishaps/stress/disease transmission/etc...

If one becomes ill, the other will most definitely become ill as well. Being around another snake can cause one stress, which may stop it from eating (this is with all species generally). The last major issue is feeding. They could both strike and coil the food - then you have to pry one off and then it usually doesn't want to strike food prey anytime soon. You also run the risk of one striking the other during feeding time - then you have to pry them apart.

Keeping them together really only benefits you for space, so it has a lot of downfall to it. The only time I really keep two together is when I'm attempting breeding them.
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Chris
Chris Carille Photography
http://nyexotics.blogspot.com/

Thanks, this all seems very obvious but I thank you for pointing it out regardless. I intend to build a four foot tall by three-four foot wide by two foot deep vertically oriented enclosure. It would be easy for me to include a divider to separate such a cage into two halves. I would make it so the divider could simply be removed for one animal or possible mating. Right now I am not dead set on this species. I like the animal and the care requirements are well within my means but I'm weighing other options as well. If what I am speaking of building does not suite the ATB I need to know. Other snakes I'm considering are the mangrove snake, and the eyelash viper. I have kept many venomous in the past but I(my girlfriend) would prefer I stay with a constrictor.

Dude, just go with the ATBs. You'll have alot more fun with them. They're like eyelash vipers without the deadly venom.

I have seen it done, but do not recommend it. The major problems I have seen is at feeding time. ATBs have a really good feeding response and are likely to be after the same food item at some point in time. I only put them together when it is breeding time.
You should check out Amazon alliance's page. Everything you will ever need to know about ATBs

Im waiting on them to approve my account at the amazon alliance. I have pretty much decided on getting the ATB. It will be a good change of pace from the heavy bodied vipers I used to keep. I'm going to make a large enclosure with a vertical divider so I can keep one, or add the divider and keep two. I am thinking 4'x4'x1.5'. So if I add the divider that will take it to two 4'x2'x1.5' enclosures. Does this sound like it will suite the ATB? I don't want to spend the time/ money making the wrong enclosure.

Those dimensions will work fine....