Opposite sex Non-breeders in same racks?

[Emily Hubbard]

Hey all. I have caught the snake bug and would like to maybe add a new member to my collection by the end of the year. I am thinking about getting a RBI rack that holds 3. That way, I can satisfy my craving but the investment won't let me go CRAZY because I just don't have the space for more than that at this point in my life.

I have no intention to breed any time in the near future. THAT bug hasn't bit me yet. Not saying it won't, just not yet. If I do get two more snakes and they are housed in the same rack (not same tub obviously, just the same rack) are there any consequences of keeping both genders that close to each other without letting them breed? I am sure they can smell each other's pheromones come breeding time. I am just wondering if for the time being, I should stick to all females (my normal is a female), or would getting a male be ok, even if I am going to deprive the poor things of good time? Just curious, I know very little about snake breeding and behavior come breeding time. I just think they are beautiful animals and love having them as pets, I'm just not financially experientially ready to breed yet.

[Annarose15]

Once mature, they might be more inclined to go off feed when they want to breed and detect the opposite sex nearby, but there shouldn't be any adverse health effects.

Added: But if you think you might want to breed in the future, I would just stick to females so they're ready when you get to that point. You usually don't have to wait as long for the boys to get up to size/age.

[jsmorphs2]

They will be just fine in the same rack . Some males go off feed for breeding season and some don't whether there is a female around or not. Good choice with the RBI rack too. They are really nice.

[satomi325]

I've had males and females in the same rack. I haven't had any problems yet.


However, if you ever do plan to breed, I would just stick to females for now. If you plan on breeding in like 2 years, then your females will be up to breeding weight and age. It takes males only a few months to reach sexual maturity, so you can always get a male at a later date.

So by getting only females, you can still be comfortable with housing your snakes on the same rack together with the possibilities of future breeding in mind.

[WingedWolfPsion]

HOWEVER...
You will want to quarantine your new animals for a substantial period of time. I recommend 12 months.
Most folks will say 3, but that's not enough for some of the bad bugs.

[Emily Hubbard]

Thanks everyone! Very good tips!

My plan is buy a rack this summer (gotta save since I will also need to get a far better thermostat, all the necessary investments.) Once I get the rack, I will get my current girl all set up and cozy in it, and then clean out her current vision cage and use it for quarantining any snakes I get in the future. the vision cage was a gift, so a very nice first time set up, and it looks great, but I feel like a rack would be SO much easier (and more cost effective) than getting a second, third, fourth vision cage. They're cool looking, but best for display animals and ball pythons aren't display animals. It would be fun to put some bearded dragons or something in it someday. We'll see, I get ahead of myself. I'm in a tiny apartment, my dream reptile room won't exist for a while yet, but I can't treat myself to a three snake rack and promise myself that is all I'm allowed to have any more til I have a house. hahah.

Now my task is to find the morph I want to adopt next. I think I will start saving and make a new snake a Christmas present to ME. I have a normal and I love her to pieces and think she is beautiful, but my next adoption will be a morph for sure!

[jsmorphs2]

Sounds like you're off to a great start. You'll have to keep us posted on you new addiction...oops, I mean additions, hahaha!

[Evenstar]

You really are off to a great start! Good for you! I like that you can use the vision cage for quarantine - excellent idea and great flexibility!

I have my boas in one rack and they all do fine. BPs are a bit different from boas of course, and tend to go off feed more easily, but, really, males and females don't have any problems living close together. I do agree with just getting the girls though if you even think you might want to breed in the future - but if you see a gorgeous male you just have to have, by all means go for it!

[Emily Hubbard]

And males are usually cheaper, and there are usually more for sale! I just looked through morphs on BHBs website just for fun and of course my favorites are in the $1,000+ range. That won't be happening, but of course the '12 hatchings are not up for sale yet because most haven't been born. I would love an albino or a bumblebee, pretty affordable (bees get a little up there), but really, I just love pretty snakes! I would be perfectly happy with a pastel or a spider. I'll know who is to be mine when I see her/him.