Snake mingling...

I assume this is a terrible idea but I just want to confirm cause everyone wants there animals to get along even though its against nature.

I'm planning on getting a ball python and am wondering if there is any circumstance when I could introduce my corn to him. Again I assume not buy how cute would that be!

Chances are nothing will happen, but they won't "bond" if that is what you expect. I definitely wouldn't try to place them in the same enclosure. In addition to them having different environmental requirements, one or both of them could feel threatened and may strike the other.

Oh of course, but in theory I could handle them both and they would PROBABLY not even acknowledge each other I guess is more what I was wondering

You could handle them together, just keep a close eye on them.

That is after you quarantine your new addition for at least 90 days. Before then there should be absolutely no contact between them.

Is that just to see if any signs or symptoms show up indicating illness?

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Originally Posted by Blitzjg

Is that just to see if any signs or symptoms show up indicating illness?

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Yes, the last thing you want to do is get an established animal sick, or give it mites from the new animal. 99% of issues will show up within 90 days of acquiring an animal if it has any.

You want to prevent contact of any kind. You should house the new snake as far away from the established animals as possible. Don't handle one snake and then the other, you should at least wash your hands, but if possible only handle your established snake(s) on one day, then any new animals the next. This significantly reduces the chances of transferring anything. Finally don't use any tools or cage decor with both animals. (At least not without out thoroughly washing/sanitizing first)

These procedures in most cases are overkill, but if a new snake is carrying something nasty they are well worth the effort.

I have a personal thing against handling any two animals at the same time, but that's purely my preference-- i like to have all of my attention focused on one creature at a time. But something I have done, and gotten some entertainment and enlightenment out of, is let two of my reptiles meet with glass between them. For example, my old leopard gecko used to LOVE watching me handle Magnus and greeting him through the glass. And when the same gecko got a neighbor, a juvenile albino, she and the baby would "have conversations" and Sobe would assert her dominance. Once she determined that BabyTooth was not a threat, she'd just keep half an eye on him, but not pay him much attention. BabyTooth, however, LOVED watching her, or anything else that moved.

So yes, I condone meet'n'greets through the glass at least, after QT of course.