The Lesser of 2 evils

Hello all I currently have 2 balls that are under 6 months old. They are in their own 10 gallon tanks right now with heat lamps. About 8 weeks ago I ordered a 4x2x1 cage from Animal Plastics. At that point I was only thinking about getting a second snake and decided that I would get the divider later, when I got another snake. Well the cage is due to arrive on Friday and I just realized that I never ordered the divider.

So my question is should I only put one in the new cage with the herpstat and proper humidity levels and leave the other to low humidity (30%) and fluctuating temps (+ or - 10 throughout the day never goes over 100 or under 75 but still) for x weeks that it takes AP to get me the divider or should I put them both in the new cage. It's big enough and they both got a clean bill of health by my vet last week.

Thanks

What are the chances that you might be able to jerryrig some kind of divider?

I don't keep snakes together any more, but at one time I did and the biggest problem I encountered was solved by removing the greediest snake and feeding him separately at feeding time. This is my opinion only, but if I were in your situation and if I couldn't jerryrig a good enviromnent with a temporary divider or plastic tubs, a rheostat or cheapie thermostat, and a UTH, I'd worry less about the snakes living together than I would about one living in really substandard temps.

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Originally Posted by Redneck_Crow

What are the chances that you might be able to jerryrig some kind of divider?

I don't keep snakes together any more, but at one time I did and the biggest problem I encountered was solved by removing the greediest snake and feeding him separately at feeding time. This is my opinion only, but if I were in your situation and if I couldn't jerryrig a good enviromnent with a temporary divider or plastic tubs, a rheostat or cheapie thermostat, and a UTH, I'd worry less about the snakes living together than I would about one living in really substandard temps.

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Second that. A piece of Plexiglass or something similar in the AP cage would be what I'd go with, until you get the actual divider. Not optimal but at least they'd both be in the proper temps/humidity that way and at worst would only be stressed from being housed together in close proximity for a matter of weeks at most until you get your actual divider. Crapper of a situation, to say the least.

The only problem with housing 2 BP's together is that one will always take dominance for what BP's care about most...the most comfortable and secure spot in the enclosure, which stresses out the other.
In a permanent setup this is a big problem, but temporarily I'd say it's not nearly as bad as exposing one to low humidity and fluctuating temps, as long as you are sure both are healthy and you separate them on feeding day.

I'd say to try to fabricate a divider for them, but I wouldn't put them together. By doing that, you run the risk of stressing them and having them go off feed, which can be a big PITA...

I have always fed them separately out of their cages. I have no intent on changing that method, so as long as they don't get stressed out feeding shouldn't be an issue.

I have some polycarb sheets but they have 50+ 1/4" holes drilled out. So the snakes would be exposed to the same air but not direct contact.

If you can't fabricate a divider personally I would go buy two sterilite tubs or equivalent. I'd place a snake in each with bedding and a water bowl. Then I would place them inside the new cage until the divider arrives.

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Originally Posted by TheAnalogue

I have some polycarb sheets but they have 50+ 1/4" holes drilled out. So the snakes would be exposed to the same air but not direct contact.

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That would be sufficient, definitely better than nothing. By using the divider, you are at least giving them each their own space where they won't be battling for the better hides or a single hot spot...

Dont mean to get off topic, but I was expecting this thread to be about Lessers....oh well would have been a good one going on the title.