Can i put 2 male bps in the same tank without problems?

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Originally Posted by python.princess

there are lots of reasons why they should never be housed together;

one will dominate the other and stress him/her out

unexpected/unwanted clutches

cannibalism (it does happen from time to time)

if one gets sick, they both get sick (double vet bills)

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what is unexpected/unwanted clutches? that is a new term for me

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Originally Posted by plummer

i have no problem wit my male BP in the same tank they dont fight dont stress each other out. they mind there own buisness. also they are good eaters for bing in the same tank.

i say you can with out issues.

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I have my 2 BP's together in a 50 gallon tank. The larger (newest of them) seems to have a nasty attitude - out of character for this species of snake from what i've read - he seems to be much calmer with the smaller snake in with him. They appear to me (and that's not saying much) to be very happy. They share the same cave almost all the time even though there are 2 caves in the tank. They seem to really follow each other around. I see no signs that either of them is being dominated.

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Originally Posted by plummer

well i had my Bp for almost 3 years now.. and nothing happend. and ther perfectly fine. some people can have them together some cant.

some think its bad.. some think its ok. its just what people like to do

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this topic, like every other, is divided. I really think to some degree you just have to use common sense and observe. I'm sure that just like people, some snakes can roommate and some can't.

Hell, we're human ... we can't possibly know what goes on in their heads, I'm not going to try to figure it out.

If I notice that mine don't seem so happy down the road I'll seperate mine, but for the time being it seems to be benefiting one particularly well.

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Originally Posted by ladywhipple02

I also find it interesting that 1 out of 14 people in this thread say it's all right to house them together. Bad odds... maybe you should think about that before you say "Some people do..."

Seems like most people... DON'T.

'Scuse, me... 1 in 15... I'm the 14th person saying "Not a good idea!"


It's not the brightest idea to keep them together... but you have to have dull crayons too, I guess. But why come to a site for BP experts when you're just going to fight their advice?

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wow - comparing people to dull crayons now. How polite. As a college graduate, I was always under the impression that the best way to solve a problem is to discuss it. Sometimes (not always but more than never), while discussing/debating/arguing (whatever u wanna call it), something new can be learned.

We are dealing with snakes here. Of course anything is possible ... just like with everything else in life. Do snakes occasionally hurt or kill each other? Yes. Do people occasionally hurt or kill each other? ummm ... yes. Does that mean we shouldn't live together?

Just because something is possible doesn't make it the rule.

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Originally Posted by GA_Ball_Pythons

There is absolutely no benefit in housing multiple snakes together however it can create problems such as stress, going of feed, spreading of diseases and/or parasites, premature breeding, you are also at risk for serious injuries, death and even cannibalism which has been documented.

That is because a pet store try to maximize their profit (1 enclosure is cheaper than several), they also try to save space why house 1 BP in one tank when you can put 10 in one tank. Because pet stores do it does not mean it is ok and you should do it.
:confuzd: what is that suppose to mean.

Exactly and this is sad.

Now to those who house their BP together explain to me why are you doing it?
Give me some GOOD reasons that can justify multiple housing?
What benefit do they get from it?

That should be interesting :rolleyes:

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Well, what i'd like to know is how many of you who so strongly disagree with housing together are actually vets or herpologists. Anyone?

I actually checked with my vet (who sees my snakes on a regular basis) about housing them together ... The response I got was that if they both got through the quarantine period with a clean bill of health he saw nothing wrong with it. His only recommendation regarding the subject was that I should not feed them together in the same tank because of the possibility of them both simultaneously strike at their food and pose a potential problem.

I think I'm going to take the advise on this subject from someone who sees snakes and other reptiles on regular basis. Oh, yeah, did i mention that my vet has 2 BP housed together? He did strongly suggest that I not house more than 2 though. He also recommended that I take them out of their tank individually for brief periods (30 min to an hour) on a daily basis to allow them a seperation to help prevent the potential for possible incident. But like i said before, every creature (snake, lizard, bird, dog, PEOPLE, etc, has the potential to hurt another of it's species. It is the exception - not the rule. I could drown when I go swimming .... just because of the rare possibility of that happening, am I not going to go?

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Originally Posted by ksbrneyes30

I have my 2 BP's together in a 50 gallon tank. The larger (newest of them) seems to have a nasty attitude - out of character for this species of snake from what i've read - he seems to be much calmer with the smaller snake in with him. They appear to me (and that's not saying much) to be very happy. They share the same cave almost all the time even though there are 2 caves in the tank. They seem to really follow each other around. I see no signs that either of them is being dominated.

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Sharing the same cave is domination - they are competing for the best "perceived" spot in the tank. The one following the other one is dominating the one being followed. I can assure you that they are not cuddling each other.

Just because you can't recognize signs of domination in ball pythons doesn't mean it's not happening.

How long did you quarantine your newest one from your smaller one?

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Originally Posted by ksbrneyes30

Well, what i'd like to know is how many of you who so strongly disagree with housing together are actually vets or herpologists. Anyone?

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How about people who have been working with ball pythons for 20+ years? Those considered the authorities on ball pythons? Those that the top veterinarians in the country have on speed dial? Would you respect their opinion?

Because people like Kevin McCurley of NERD who wrote The Complete Ball Python and Dave and Tracy Barker (who are top renowned herpetologists, btw) and wrote Pythons of the World, Vol II: Ball Pythons all recommend that you do NOT house ball pythons together and see no benefit in doing so.

You may also wish to read this thread that discussed housing together:

http://www.ball-pythons.net/forums/s...ad.php?t=23890

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Originally Posted by ksbrneyes30

what is unexpected/unwanted clutches? that is a new term for me

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What that refers to is people keeping multiple ball pythons together, having not one clue if they are males are females or willingly leaving a male with a female without any plan or concern for matings that will occur. Males become sexually mature far faster than the females and it is not in the female's snakes best interest healthwise to be allowed to be bred too young just because someone can't be bothered to keep her seperate from the attentions of a sexually mature male.

These people then show up on forums screaming for help from us because of their own lack of planning for their snakes in the first place.

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Originally Posted by ksbrneyes30

I have my 2 BP's together in a 50 gallon tank. The larger (newest of them) seems to have a nasty attitude - out of character for this species of snake from what i've read - he seems to be much calmer with the smaller snake in with him. They appear to me (and that's not saying much) to be very happy. They share the same cave almost all the time even though there are 2 caves in the tank. They seem to really follow each other around. I see no signs that either of them is being dominated..

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This is EXACTLY a few of the signs of domination.

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Originally Posted by ksbrneyes30

wow - comparing people to dull crayons now. How polite. As a college graduate, I was always under the impression that the best way to solve a problem is to discuss it. Sometimes (not always but more than never), while discussing/debating/arguing (whatever u wanna call it), something new can be learned.

We are dealing with snakes here. Of course anything is possible ... just like with everything else in life. Do snakes occasionally hurt or kill each other? Yes. Do people occasionally hurt or kill each other? ummm ... yes. Does that mean we shouldn't live together?

Just because something is possible doesn't make it the rule.

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I agree that it's better to discuss this as adults, rather than resort to name calling. You also can't compare humans and snakes, apples and oranges. Also, just because something is possible doesn't make it the best.

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Originally Posted by ksbrneyes30

Well, what i'd like to know is how many of you who so strongly disagree with housing together are actually vets or herpologists. Anyone?

I actually checked with my vet (who sees my snakes on a regular basis) about housing them together ... The response I got was that if they both got through the quarantine period with a clean bill of health he saw nothing wrong with it. His only recommendation regarding the subject was that I should not feed them together in the same tank because of the possibility of them both simultaneously strike at their food and pose a potential problem.

I think I'm going to take the advise on this subject from someone who sees snakes and other reptiles on regular basis. Oh, yeah, did i mention that my vet has 2 BP housed together? He did strongly suggest that I not house more than 2 though. He also recommended that I take them out of their tank individually for brief periods (30 min to an hour) on a daily basis to allow them a seperation to help prevent the potential for possible incident. But like i said before, every creature (snake, lizard, bird, dog, PEOPLE, etc, has the potential to hurt another of it's species. It is the exception - not the rule. I could drown when I go swimming .... just because of the rare possibility of that happening, am I not going to go?

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It really bothers me, when people start assuming a degree means intelligence. I have a bachelor's degree in Biological Sciences with an emphasis in Zoology, from the University of Maryland. I also have 2 years experience with rehabalitating wildlife (from Robin's to squirrels to hawks and beavers. I also have worked 1.5 years in an Entomology lab and 2 years as a vet technician. But for all that, I still consider myself a complete Newbie (I've only had bps for just under 3 years), and am eager to learn as much as I can. When the top people in the field house their animals individually, when they COULD house together easier just sends a very loud message to me. I just believe that housing together is not the best I can provide for my animals.

The discussion about Plummer's snakes has been split off and moved into Quarantine.

http://www.ball-pythons.net/forums/s...ad.php?t=55715

If you want to discuss his snakes, you need to do it there. Otherwise, please keep this thread on topic. If you don't have access to the Quarantine Room and would like it, please send a request via PM to any of the admins.