Question about housing male and females

[PinkPixie]

Okay... so I own two female bps now (a lovely spider and a adorable pinstripe). The local breeder who I got my pin from has a gorgeous male spinner that he is still considering keeping at the moment but promised me first crack at if he does decide to sell him. My question is this... if I have no interest in breeding, am I setting myself up for problems housing both sexes close to each other? Will I be encouraging a mating response (for lack of a better term) from them? Should I stick to just one sex? I figured it's best to ask before I chance messing up my perfect balance.

[trevor88]

You should be fine as long as you are not housing them all together... They all need their own homes.

[JoshSloane]

You should be just fine. Your males might get a little ornery during mating season, but IMO its really nothing to worry about. I have had both females and males in the same rack system and room together forever, and never had a significantly noticeable issue. As long as you aren't actually housing them physically in the same tub or enclosure, you are good.

[Albert Clark]

There may be a concern, imo, that if you house them in a close proximity the male can smell breedable females. Even though you don't have them in the same enclosure the male will still be able to detect them and it can send him into a feeding strike. The urge to breed in males takes precedence over eating. Just keep a eye out if all of a sudden he takes a vacation from food. We all go through it.

[PinkPixie]

I'd never risk a snake eating snake disaster, we've all seen the pictures! Lol Everyone definitely gets their own lodgings. I've never personally had to deal with a feeding refusal yet, (knock on wood), or even a less than pleasant snake, but those are exactly the type of things I appreciate hearing ahead of making my choice! Thanks folks, your input is greatly appreciated. If I do get the chance and make the decision to snatch him up, I'll post him for you

[SadieJ]

I'm glad you asked this. I have a Special BP male & I saw a beautiful Black Pewter female I'd love to have. They're close to th same age. Since I live in an apartment, I'd have to keep them both in my bedroom. I'm thinking about taking a chance on it