multiple snake owners... i have a question.

i have a ball... she has been solo for 7 years. i am thinking of getting another. if i do, would it be ok to place the new one in with her or in its own space? im not sure with her being use to her solitude for so long she might not take kindly or be stressed out or worse.... just looking for some comments and or feedback. thanks

Give each one their own tub or tank :gj:

Seperate enclosure. Mating, sickness , stool samples(if nesc.). Sharing warm spots and hides. I think there is a video somewhere of one swallowing the other going for the same prey item. People do it but its a risk. Just better not too really as theyre solitary animals. Plus you should quarantine anyway with the new snake.

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Originally Posted by trott

Seperate enclosure. Mating, sickness , stool samples(if nesc.). Sharing warm spots and hides. I think there is a video somewhere of one swallowing the other going for the same prey item. People do it but its a risk. Just better not too really as theyre solitary animals. Plus you should quarantine anyway with the new snake.

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all very good points that i did not think of. :bow:

Snakes are solitary animals. The only time they should be together is for breeding. It's best to house each snake in their own enclosure. When you see snakes laying together, they aren't cuddling. They are competing for the same spot. Some people do house their snakes together, but the problems arise as far as providing enough shelters for each. If one gets sick, they both get sick. If you see runny poo in the tank you don't know which one did it. There is also the chance of cannibalism, which, while not common with BP's, has, and does happen. In the end it will be your choice whether or not to house them together, but generally, it is not recommended...


Rob

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Originally Posted by Vypyrz

Snakes are solitary animals. The only time they should be together is for breeding. It's best to house each snake in their own enclosure. When you see snakes laying together, they aren't cuddling. They are competing for the same spot. Some people do house their snakes together, but the problems arise as far as providing enough shelters for each. If one gets sick, they both get sick. If you see runny poo in the tank you don't know which one did it. There is also the chance of cannibalism, which, while not common with BP's, has, and does happen. In the end it will be your choice whether or not to house them together, but generally, it is not recommended...


Rob

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as far as them competing for the same spot.... i thought this as well today when i was in the pet store picking up a feeder. they had a tank with several balls that were almost knotted up,, then another tank with a few red tails that were almost in the same knotted situation. just didnt look comfortable.

even tho i have made up my mind, i still would like to hear from you guys who do have more than one to a tank.

personally, i would 100% get them their own enclosures, weather it be tanks, or tubs. as others have said, snakes are solitary animals. there's always risk of sickness, infection, cannibalism (though not very common) is it worth it to you to risk your animals health? i personally don't think so, and would never cohab my snakes.

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Originally Posted by stealthk7gsxr

as far as them competing for the same spot.... i thought this as well today when i was in the pet store picking up a feeder. they had a tank with several balls that were almost knotted up,, then another tank with a few red tails that were almost in the same knotted situation. just didnt look comfortable.

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Some breeders will do this if thier very young and usually assuming it's just temporary.

Defintely separate, unless breeding, and keep them together only at breeding time. Make sure this thing doens't have any mites too... If one snake has mites, they all have mites.

Hi,

There is also the fact that you want to quarantine any new arrivals for at least 30 days in a seperate room if possible with no shared equipment to make sure you are not also adding disease into your established pets.

No sense in paying multiple vet bills when one would do.


dr del

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Originally Posted by dr del

Hi,

There is also the fact that you want to quarantine any new arrivals for at least 30 days in a seperate room if possible with no shared equipment to make sure you are not also adding disease into your established pets.

No sense in paying multiple vet bills when one would do.


dr del

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ok now i have a new question. when i do get the addition, after bieng in quarantine should i toss the items that were in the "quarantined" enclosure and start fresh? and what all should i be looking for... ie: feeding, stools, activity, shedding and of course mites. is there anything else i should keep an eye out for?

Hi,

Well I just wash the quarantine tank out and keep it for the next addition (we did remember to tell you these things are addictive right? :P ). I use cage furniture in the QT tank that can be easily cleaned - plastic hides and glazed waterbowls that can be easily bleached and sterilized for the next occupant. I also use newspaper as a substrate and keep the tank simple to make it easier to spot any problems.

You also want to keep an eye out for RI's and anything that just seems "off" in the new arrival.

A good habit to get into is doing the work with the regular collection first then doing the snake in quarantine. Also I keep a bottle of hand sanitizer right on top of the QT tank next to the roll of paper towels.

I bought my black pastel from a place I trust totally - but he will still get the same three month quarantine everyone else gets.


dr del

Yes its best if you quaranteen any new snake in a seperate room for at least 1 to 3 months. To make sure the snake is healthy and mite free. They should be permanently housed seperately as well. If you ever decide to breed them and put them together during breeding season there is always the chance that the female may not accept the male right away. The first time i put my male in with my female she gave him a few bites. It took about a week for them to settle in together.