Roommates - any possible issue?

[Malpaso]

Folks, I would like to know your opinion here... I have two females (let's hope really are ). One adult (6 years, 1500g) and second pretty young (6 months, 175g). I have decide to keep them together - there really is enough space for both. What I am afraid of is if that bigger can harm that smaller one anyhow. There are two separate hiding places (the same once). No need to fight for "better one". First two weeks they were separated and it worked fine (IMO)... but last few days the are together and it looks like this:





So I am bit worried for that small one now... or I do not need to? Thanks a lot.

[PitOnTheProwl]

They are not "cuddling" if that's what you are looking for.
Can they be kept together? Yes
Are you capable of doing it? Not if you cant read the signs.
Could something bad happen? Yes
Could this post be viewed as stirring and already beaten pot? Yes

[The Golem]

From that photo it looks like soon your problem will be over and you'll only have 1 snake to look after.

[calmolly1]

Not a good idea IMO, especially with difference in size. And it doesn't sound like you have yet acquired the skills to set up a habitat that would work with two snakes.


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[Stormy]

I have a 6 year old normal female and a 5 month old male pied; I wouldn't even think of putting them together in the same enclosure unless I wanted to be minus a snake!!

You'll be lucky if that bigger snake doesn't eat the smaller one; I would remove the little one immediately.

[Daigga]

I know there are people here that cohabitate successfully, but the way I had heard it explained sounded like you basically needed an enclosure the size of two put together (how big is the tank you have them in?), with lots of different hides (a single snake needs 2 hides, a warm and a cool) and multiple hotspots (I see the heating pad behind them in one picture, they're probably both trying to get into a warm spot, if that's the only one you have). Plus with your size difference, the bigger one eating (or just killing) the smaller one is very possible.

I know you may think you're saving money by putting them together, but you aren't. Bite the bullet here and set up a second enclosure.

[MarkS]

Chances are they'll probably be fine. There are several problems that could happen, but as long as you know that and accept the responsibility for it, they're your snakes do with them as you wish.

[DVirginiana]

The size difference would worry me. I wouldn't even house two of my Thamnophis together with that much of a size difference, and they're known for being a great cohabiting species that will not cannibalize.
I know some people keep BPs and other typically solitary species communally and have success, but generally it seems to be one of those things where if you have to ask you're probably not ready to do it.

[robeyeshua]

Do what you like, but it is no good for the snakes. There is zero gain for them in co habbing. It is a lose.....lose....lose. Do the right thing and seperate them immediately

[Malpaso]

Thanks everyone for responses... you're right. I would like to keep them together (tank has 200liters) but size makes me worried. That is why asking for comments. First of all. They're separated now (to let every "do what you want" responses to know the status). And here are some more details (I simply opened diary):
- they were together two months (not two weeks - that was misspelled).
- bigger one is now in starving period (as every year is) and will start with eating in March.
- bigger one has never eaten rat. Just mice (4-6). Reason is she is afraid of rats (?!). She simply deny to eat them...
- smaller one was eating 2x a week in the same tank. No issues.
- during shed cycle was smaller one separated (2x)
- they never shared hides (till last week)

so change in behavior made me ask here.

Anyway: now they're separated three days and I see another change...

1. Bigger one is active also during the day (not only after the dark as usual)
2. Smaller one stopped eating (she passed so far regular feeding period day)

?