BP and RTB housed together?

[mike54937]

I know as general rule of thumb, you shouldn't keep snakes together in the same enclosure but, I have run across an offer I can't pass up. I was wondering what some opinions are about keeping my 6 year old BP and a RTB juvenile together for about a week. I'm in the process of building the enclosure for the RTB and it won't be done for about a week. I'm kinda in a bind. Would it be ok????

[rabernet]

No - absolutely NO. First of all, any new animal should be quarantined in another part of your home for a period of time. I QT 2 months, some QT 30 days.

Also, as a python keeper, I have made the choice not to own any boas. The risk of a boa being a carrier of IBD is too great for me to risk my collection of pythons. And since there really are no tests for IBD (other than some boa breeders placing a normal male ball python in with a new boa to see if the python survives beyond 30 days as a test), you have no way of knowing if your boa is a carrier as well.

Boas can be carriers of IBD (Inclusion Body Disease) and not show symptoms, but it generally kills ball pythons in a matter of a few weeks once exposed.

Have the person hold the new animal for you for another week, then bring it into quarantine.

[Kysenia]

Concur with above, Although it may be difficult to wait that little bit, or only make the choice if you are fully prepared to care and house both animals and their needs, it is the right thing to do.

I always think back on my life and wonder how easier it would be if I always waited till I was ready before I made some bad decisions in my life. In general that is one of the habits most of us need to fix. If you want it today, you should still want it with the same passion a month or year from now, so wait until all the pieces of the puzzle fit together

[mike54937]

Thank you both for the prompt response. I've decided to just whip up a separate set up for the RTB after reading what you had to say. I was not fully aware of the risks so, thank you.

[pavlovk1025]

Graphic picture warning:

http://www.cornsnakes.com/forums/sho...t=cohabitation

[Aes_Sidhe]

Graphic picture warning:

http://www.cornsnakes.com/forums/sho...t=cohabitation

Damn that's grouse...... I never heard about Boa eating ball python that's totally crazy