Three snakes in one enclosure any thoughts?

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Originally Posted by cj2007

I said in my previous posts that I am going to get more hiding and a bowl set up but it seems as though all of you are making mountains out of mole hills. I have my opinion and you have yours. As I said in my other posts as well I do not want to keep them all in there I want to move them into a rack stand. But I'm sure you didn't read that part. And believe me I do care about everything for these animals and I wouldn't do anything to harm them. And you are wrong that they are not social my snakes love to be out and chill with me when I get home. And they hate to go back in because they love being held.So just put an end to all things shaming and degrading of a person's way of doing it, I am making changes when I can, to make them a little happier in my snakes home.

Sent from my VS985 4G using Tapatalk

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It's good that you're getting more equipment, but I strongly encourage you not to doubt long standing behavioral facts just because your personal interpretation of your snakes behavior is different. Someone who is new to dogs might assume that if their new dog is staring at them constantly that it's a loving gesture, when in reality unbroken eye contact is a sign of dominance and the owner is nurturing behavior that can literally come back to bite them. The same thing is true in ball pythons; what you see as friendly behavior can actually be a sign of stress that just looks like cute or normal behavior to someone used to something totally different. Ball pythons are snakes. They are not dogs, they are not mammals, they are not people, but we still like to project our emotions and behaviors on them. They don't "cuddle" with each other, they compete for prime spots or use their bodies to pin down rivals. They don't "snuggle" their owners, they seek out warmth and security. Look into these behaviors, read up on articles written by expert keepers, and take a closer look at what your snakes are really telling you.

I don't mean to sound harsh, but it's become annoyingly common for someone to defend poor husbandry and habits by claiming that their snakes enjoy it, even when experienced keepers know those habits to be wildly dangerous.

They're your snakes. Do what you want to do. If what you're doing doesn't work out, then change it!!!!!!! People here can give you ADVICE, but ultimately they are YOUR SNAKES So do as you wish....

Personally I have been keeping a wide variety of snakes for over 30 years. I have kept them separated and I have housed them together, and I have personally found that they do better by themselves. But whatever you decide to do, make sure you keep track of whatever works best for the snakes, and then do that.

You came here and asked what people's opinions were for putting 3 snakes in that bare enclosure.

You got plenty of responses, then you get all defensive because people are not applauding your actions. "I'm going to do..." is not what you asked. You were very specific with a photo.

No one here can make you keep snakes in a better way. No one here can make you listen to advice.

But when you come on and post a question, then argue that your way is just fine and everyone else is wrong, it comes off poorly to those members who take time to bother reading the thread and typing out responses.

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Originally Posted by wolfy-hound

You came here and asked what people's opinions were for putting 3 snakes in that bare enclosure.

You got plenty of responses, then you get all defensive because people are not applauding your actions. "I'm going to do..." is not what you asked. You were very specific with a photo.

No one here can make you keep snakes in a better way. No one here can make you listen to advice.

But when you come on and post a question, then argue that your way is just fine and everyone else is wrong, it comes off poorly to those members who take time to bother reading the thread and typing out responses.

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Very well said

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Originally Posted by cj2007

I said in my previous posts that I am going to get more hiding and a bowl set up but it seems as though all of you are making mountains out of mole hills. I have my opinion and you have yours. As I said in my other posts as well I do not want to keep them all in there I want to move them into a rack stand. But I'm sure you didn't read that part. And believe me I do care about everything for these animals and I wouldn't do anything to harm them. And you are wrong that they are not social my snakes love to be out and chill with me when I get home. And they hate to go back in because they love being held.

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I'm not an expert by any means, but I'd figure as long as you have enough hides it should be fine. But like you said you're moving them into a rack system so even though this isn't optimal (or even if it is bad) it isn't permanent.

But I'm curious, how do you know the snakes love to be out and hate to go back in? My snake was always up for leaving his tank, but once in a tub/rack he doesn't seem to care about leaving. I wouldn't say he hates me holding him either, but I haven't seen anything to make me think that he was "happy".

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Originally Posted by Daigga

It's good that you're getting more equipment, but I strongly encourage you not to doubt long standing behavioral facts just because your personal interpretation of your snakes behavior is different. Someone who is new to dogs might assume that if their new dog is staring at them constantly that it's a loving gesture, when in reality unbroken eye contact is a sign of dominance and the owner is nurturing behavior that can literally come back to bite them. The same thing is true in ball pythons; what you see as friendly behavior can actually be a sign of stress that just looks like cute or normal behavior to someone used to something totally different. Ball pythons are snakes. They are not dogs, they are not mammals, they are not people, but we still like to project our emotions and behaviors on them. They don't "cuddle" with each other, they compete for prime spots or use their bodies to pin down rivals. They don't "snuggle" their owners, they seek out warmth and security. Look into these behaviors, read up on articles written by expert keepers, and take a closer look at what your snakes are really telling you.

I don't mean to sound harsh, but it's become annoyingly common for someone to defend poor husbandry and habits by claiming that their snakes enjoy it, even when experienced keepers know those habits to be wildly dangerous.

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^ this.

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Originally Posted by wolfy-hound

You came here and asked what people's opinions were for putting 3 snakes in that bare enclosure.

You got plenty of responses, then you get all defensive because people are not applauding your actions. "I'm going to do..." is not what you asked. You were very specific with a photo.

No one here can make you keep snakes in a better way. No one here can make you listen to advice.

But when you come on and post a question, then argue that your way is just fine and everyone else is wrong, it comes off poorly to those members who take time to bother reading the thread and typing out responses.

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:clap:

and i just read the whole thread. here's a few observations/questions. i'll respond to the pix u posted.

http://i.imgur.com/EA125xB.png

you could also block out he back and sides of the tank with paper, get the lamp on a dimmer, etc. etc.

i hope u step up your husbandry soon. your pets deserve comfort.

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Originally Posted by wolfy-hound

You came here and asked what people's opinions were for putting 3 snakes in that bare enclosure.

You got plenty of responses, then you get all defensive because people are not applauding your actions. "I'm going to do..." is not what you asked. You were very specific with a photo.

No one here can make you keep snakes in a better way. No one here can make you listen to advice.

But when you come on and post a question, then argue that your way is just fine and everyone else is wrong, it comes off poorly to those members who take time to bother reading the thread and typing out responses.

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I applaud you! :clap:

I have read this whole thread and to the OP Cj your whole stand is mind-blogging to me.

1. First and foremost the title of your thread is a question. By asking a question you are giving people an opportunity to answer that question, whether you agree or not. Then you get defensive on the answers that you did not want to hear. IF YOU ARE NOT READY TO READ AND HEAR ALL ANSWERS you should not post a question. Your thread should have been entitled...."I keep 3 snakes in one enclosure and here is why."

2. Then you say everything is fine with your enclosure (when it clearly isn't) and a couple posts later you are saying your buying new hides etc to modify your "perfectly fine enclosure".

3. Then the craziest thing of all is you some how know that your snakes love to chill with you?! YOU need to understand THESE ARE ANIMALS....UNTIL THEY CAN COMMUNICATE WITH YOU AND TELL YOU THEY ACTUALLY ENJOY YOU HOLDING THEM AND CHILLING WITH THEM.....do not assume this. This is how you get yourself on ANIMAL PLANET's FATAL ATTRACTIONS because someone decided that their ANACONDA enjoyed sleeping with them and wound up dead.

I have been on this site for a short amount of time, but I have been keeping animals my whole life and the people of this site are the most helpful and genuine I have come across. They truly care about the well being of the animals they keep and helping people out.

SO PLEASE STOP with these threads because it turns veterans away from giving good/solid advice. I for one would like them to continue giving out vital information.

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Originally Posted by Mstuppiello921

I have read this whole thread and to the OP Cj your whole stand is mind-blogging to me.

1. First and foremost the title of your thread is a question. By asking a question you are giving people an opportunity to answer that question, whether you agree or not. Then you get defensive on the answers that you did not want to hear. IF YOU ARE NOT READY TO READ AND HEAR ALL ANSWERS you should not post a question. Your thread should have been entitled...."I keep 3 snakes in one enclosure and here is why."

2. Then you say everything is fine with your enclosure (when it clearly isn't) and a couple posts later you are saying your buying new hides etc to modify your "perfectly fine enclosure".

3. Then the craziest thing of all is you some how know that your snakes love to chill with you?! YOU need to understand THESE ARE ANIMALS....UNTIL THEY CAN COMMUNICATE WITH YOU AND TELL YOU THEY ACTUALLY ENJOY YOU HOLDING THEM AND CHILLING WITH THEM.....do not assume this. This is how you get yourself on ANIMAL PLANET's FATAL ATTRACTIONS because someone decided that their ANACONDA enjoyed sleeping with them and wound up dead.

I have been on this site for a short amount of time, but I have been keeping animals my whole life and the people of this site are the most helpful and genuine I have come across. They truly care about the well being of the animals they keep and helping people out.

SO PLEASE STOP with these threads because it turns veterans away from giving good/solid advice. I for one would like them to continue giving out vital information.

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This is so well said! I too am not a veteran of the sight but I have kept animals my whole life, spent summers working with exotics, and I study zoology and environmental biology in college. I am one of the people who love giving advice when I can, but I am frustrated when people act as if they are being attacked when it is not exactly what they want to hear.

I feel like if you don't want to hear the answer to the question, then you should refrain from asking it. If however, you are ready to hear the answer you asked for, then by all means, ask away. When someone throws a fit because they weren't ready to hear an answer they just make themselves look childish, and make everyone weary of giving advice in the future.

Cj2007,

Here’s the bottom line IMO.

It’s not good to keep naturally solitary animals in groups, the reasons for this have been addressed in this thread.

You can get a couple 28 qt tubs at office depot for about $10 each, go get them until you can set up the racks.

Whether you need supplemental heating or not depends on the ambient temps where the snakes reside. Contrary to popular opinion, temperature gradients with hides in each temp zone are not necessary if you can provide an ambient temp in the 80s. I’ve kept BPs for 22 years, all have had no temp gradient with a single hide. I’ve never had a single health issue. Yes, I still have 2.0 22 year olds that have not been ill for a single day in their lives. Winter time temps regularly fall into the 70s. I am not criticizing the heat gradient/multi hide husbandry, there’s nothing wrong with it, but it is not absolutely necessary as many on this forum believe. What is necessary is that the snake’s enclosure has temps/humidity within an acceptable range and an appropriately sized hide. Do your snakes a favor, separate them.