2 Snakes one tank?

[Lopezxx2]

Ok so I have heard plenty of people talk about how its not healthy for the snakes and can stress them out but I'm wondering if its like an absolute "no-no"? I had a friend of mine a while back with two grown ball pythons in a large tank together and they lived great. Always ate, shed well, and was healthy, and even bred and produced healthy eggs together the last year before he had to get rid of them. I am a tank guy, rather than racks but still have mine in separate tanks, just wondering what you guys think, or even some experiences?
Open to criticism thanks

[cinderbird]

I feel its not something novice keepers should do; EVER. No exceptions. If you're experienced and feel like experimenting; then more power to you. I don't cohabitate ball pythons, it just seems like a lot more trouble than its worth. I do cohabitate some of my female geckos that are tolerant of it (or prefer it in the case of one gecko) in same sex same size same species pairs or triples.

Here is my canned reply on the subject of housing ball pythons together.. :


To quote another post on the exact same topic (PS: search feature is your friend). Take this post with a grain of salt, but please understand why it is better for your animals to each have a home, than to have to share one. (This post was also made for someone who was already housing animals together).

NO, you should not.

it is NOT good for the animals to be housed together. There are a multitude of reasons for this, including but not limited to the following;

1. You didnt quarantine your new addition and if its carrying something, chances are your older animal has it too anything from parasites, worms, sickness and disease, (even if there arent any symptoms yet)

2. Did you get these animals sexed from a reliable source? Or are you trusting the pet store.. This means you could have two opposite genders and you have the chance that they could now breed early causing the female (if one is a female) problems and possibly killing her

3. Cannibalism is known to occur in a few documented cases involving BPs

4. If one of your animals is sick, you probably wont know which one because you cant tell their feces/urates/regurges apart

5. If one gets sick, they both get sick and now you have to spend 2x the amount of money in vet care.

6. Actions we see as "cuddling" are actually one snake competing with the other. They both may be eating fine now but how long is that going to last? The smaller one is especially at risk for stress which could lower immune levels. They will constantly be competing for the best hide spots and best heating spots, etc.

housing two animals in one enclosure when they arent social isnt something novice keepers should do. Each animal should have their own space to thrive. If cost is the problem then maybe you need to take one back or rehome him until you can provide a suitable environment for any animal that comes into your home.

[Homegrownscales]

I agree more of a pain in the butt than anything.

[A&S Reptiles]

When I first started out we got two "male" ball pythons. They were housed together as babies so we kept them that way. They fought on a regular basis. One time during feeding day, one snake ate and the other didn't. The one who didn't eat actually STRUCK and COILED the other! I had to drop Listerine in his mouth to get him to let go. It was scary.

One also had internal parasites from the previous owner so both had them. It was just a nightmare and a huuuuge learning experience. I regret keeping them together but I was young and just starting out. I rehomed them once both were healthy. I hope this helped anyone who was wondering the same thing.

[Misfit]

I don't know.. This is how I see it, pretty simple.

Ball pythons are not social animals. Therefore, do not force them to live with another snake. The only reasons I've ever heard to house snakes together is pure selfishness from the owner, since they just want things to be "easier."

They don't like it. So why would you do it? Yeah, animals can live and be "fine" in a situation they are not meant for, but why would you want to do that to them?

[Lopezxx2]

I get what you guys are saying. I am there with you, I house mine in their own cages. Just wondering, not that im gonna consider it with mine, except for breeding purposes

[SlitherinSisters]

Some people do it and it works for them. I personally would never do it. Snakes are solitary animals, they don't need or want 'friends'. The risk of stress and even cannibalism is too great for me to even consider. Plus it's just as easy to get a rack system if you are going to have multiple snakes. And if it's male and female how are you going to get the female up to proper weight before she gets bred?