New to snakes :)

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Originally Posted by starmom

There are so many valid reasons NOT to keep snakes together; what is a reason for doing so???

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I keep reading about not doing it on this forum but I see many, many being successfully kept together, for whatever reason. I'm not arguing the point. I'm just trying get some support for that view other than what's being repeated here.

As an example, it is commonly advised that one should never keep two intact male dogs together for the same reasons you mentioned; dominance and fighting. But the reality is that many, many, many intact male dogs are kept together in the same household every day. Are there dominance issues? Are there fights? Yes but for the most part, and under the correct circumstances, nothing life threatening happens and life goes on. Most of time it's all show. But I would also advise a novice dog owner not to try it, so I understand where you're coming from.

I've never seen a snake fight nor have I kept two adult snakes together in the same tank. I'm just looking for something that backs up that advise.

Sorry to the OP. I didn't mean to hijack this thread.

Thanks.
JohnNJ

Hi John~
I don't think you've hijacked the thread given that the OP was considering purchasing two snakes and housing them together :)

I understand your example of keeping two intact male dogs and understand that it is often accomplished under certain circumstances. I also well understand that the breed of the dog has a lot to do with the success of the keeping!

Keep in mind that snakes are not dogs and we humans know much less about snakes than we do about dogs!

I know that in other countries people tend to keep more than one snake in an enclosure. It seems to work for the snakes, but to what extent? Don't know; and I'm uncertain as to whether anyone does. People tend to broadcast their successes and hide their failures and so learning is made harder for all the rest of us.

All I can say with certainty is that I will never keep to snakes together in one enclosure due to the learning that I have done and due to what I have been taught by others. I don't feel the need to color outside the lines on this one ;) I have not ever seen snakes in the wild keeping each others' company unless it was a den of baby snakes or a den of rattlers keeping warmer (?) during a cold winter at my ranch. Other than that, they seem to be [mostly] solitary animals.

It's a good discussion, John. Kudos!

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Originally Posted by boogidus

ive been looking at a boa.... it seems similar to a python attitude wise but they are a bit bigger? does anyone have experience with those? would it fit in a 55 gallon tank. many websites says thats a perfect size...

and any one know a herp show going on in the massachusettes area

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Its going to be hard to find one snake that is going to fit in any one tank comfortable for its entire lifetime. The attitude of each snake is for the most part on a individual basis while general trends appear to be accurate amongst species. But if your not going to have an appropriate sized enclosure or the right climate then the snake will not be happy. But you never really know, personally my Green Anaconda is the chillest snake I own.

again, if you get a baby snake no matter what you start with a 55 gal is going to be to big. do you already have a 55gal and that is why you are looking for a snake to put in it?

also remember if you get a boa that the cost of feeding is going to go up and up as it grows. are you prepared to feed it jumbo rats or bunnies for the next 20 years, and get it a larger enclosure in a few years?

I believe that the minimum cage size for an adult female boa is at least 6' long and 2' wide, with some vertical space as well since boa's like to climb. For males I think a 4x2 cage is the minimum size. Someone please correct me if I'm wrong!

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Originally Posted by boogidus

ive been looking at a boa.... it seems similar to a python attitude wise but they are a bit bigger? does anyone have experience with those? would it fit in a 55 gallon tank. many websites says thats a perfect size...

and any one know a herp show going on in the massachusettes area

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Bci's are very much more outgoing than ball pythons. I have three female Bci's are they are really different than balls. They are curious snakes, climbers, and have a really healthy appetite!

Bci's get larger than ball pythons. And, yep, I'm looking at three 6x2x4 cages for my females!! If you were gravitating towards a Bci, I would suggest going through a breeder so that you get a mellow snake (cough*jimisnakes*cough)

As was mentioned, getting a snake to fit your tank is pretty impossible, IMO. Choose a snake that you really want, get the environment for the snake together and running, and then- and only then- get the snake.