more than 1 ball

can 2 baby ball pythons be housed together ? only as babies will switch to just 1 per tank when they get bigger! just wondering if while they are babies
(3 months) if they will be okay together?
read about it some say yes others say no so just thought i would get more opinions thanks

It isn't recommended but can be done. The biggest issue is that you can't moniter which snake does what and if one gets sick the other likely will as well. In rare cases 1 will try to eat the other but that is rare.

If it is short term and you are willing to put some extra time in to keep tabs on them you might be able to pull it off, but as I said it really isn't recomended.

Here is my generalized answer for this type of question. I'd never recommend housing together for someone who's new. Very few very experienced keepers do it successfully, but they are fully prepared for any types issues that may arise. I, personally, would never.

Cohabitating reptiles even as the same species is not recommended. Insead of just telling you "no" I'll list the common reasons why.
1) Cannibalism, not common, but there are DOCUMENTED cases. This alone isn't worth the risk.
2) Stress. Even the most friendly snakes get stressed out, so why cause the stress? Snakes have no want or need to be with another snake unless it's for breeding purposes. Other than that, it's just an unwanted roommate that they can't get away from.
3) Space. They will constantly try to dominate eachother for the best spots in the enclosure, even if you have multiple hides, you'll mainly see them together in one spot. People usually see this as "cuddling". It's not cuddling, they are fighting over the best spot.
4) You wake up in the morning after feeding and there's a regurgitated mouse. Which one did it?
5) One gets sick, now both are sick. That's 2X the vet bills, 2X the medications, and 2X the stress.
6) You are told the new snake you bought is the same sex as the one you already have. a year later, you find eggs in the enclosure. You have not prepared, no incubator, no space for babies, and no one to sell them to. What do you do now? The pet store/vet/person sexed them wrong.
7) Quarantine. How are you going to quarantine the new snake away from your original one? As you gain more experience, you'll find that quarantine is a NECESSITY. You could get a perfectly healthy snake, or one covered in mite eggs that hatch 3 days after you bring it home. Now both snakes have mites. Snakes also can take a long time to start showing symptoms of illness, now you got your original snake sick because you didn't quarantine.

Those are just the more known and common issues with housing multiple reptiles. The list goes on. The only pro to housing them together is to save space in your house by only having one enclosure, but is it worth it? That is up to you.

Leah has it down.

Short story, my lesser came to me at 47g after the breeder couldnt get him to eat, I was there at the hatching when he weighed 67g. Needless to say after almost 2 months I took his fate into my own hands, He has been eating steady and is just at 500g. They kept their whole clutchs togother all the time, was this a problem? I dont know but being in his own tube got him to eat? Possibly.;)

Whenever I see these threads I always wonder why you might want to do this? Especially in this case because you seem to realize that after awhile it might not be the best thing for the animal. If you plan on separating them anyway then just start off on the right foot.

I always worry when I see these threads pop up if the real genesis of the question isn't, "I have enough $$ for two BPs but not enough for two BPs and two enclosures. I'll just house them together until I get more $$." I'm not saying that's the case here, I just always wonder when I see these threads.

If that is the case, it's much better to own one properly than to own two in substandard conditions.

I am reading through the responses here, and now I'm wondering a couple of things. My friend and her husband have several snakes, and recently had twin human babies so they are downsizing. They gave me their two balls, set-up, etc. They have had both snakes for 5+ years, since they were babies, and they have always shared an enclosure. They both eat fine (in seperate bins), and are very healthy. I notice sometimes that the smaller of the two (they are very close in size) sometimes goes under the larger, I've watched her do it. They don't seem to entangle one another or anything like that. More often than not they stay on opposite sides of the enclosure. They are both handled daily or every other day and neither really seems bothered at all by the other. Is it possible they have just gotten used to one another after years of being together?

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Originally Posted by PeachyFreakinKeen

I am reading through the responses here, and now I'm wondering a couple of things. My friend and her husband have several snakes, and recently had twin human babies so they are downsizing. They gave me their two balls, set-up, etc. They have had both snakes for 5+ years, since they were babies, and they have always shared an enclosure. They both eat fine (in seperate bins), and are very healthy. I notice sometimes that the smaller of the two (they are very close in size) sometimes goes under the larger, I've watched her do it. They don't seem to entangle one another or anything like that. More often than not they stay on opposite sides of the enclosure. They are both handled daily or every other day and neither really seems bothered at all by the other. Is it possible they have just gotten used to one another after years of being together?

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them staying on separate sides of the cage shows that they do not like each other. and that they have to compete for who gets the hot side. In the wild Ball Pythons live alone from the time that they hatch from the egg. they really should not be kept in the same cage.

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Originally Posted by PeachyFreakinKeen

More often than not they stay on opposite sides of the enclosure.

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:confused::confused:Clue:confused::confused:

Most Definitely the CLUE that they are not happy together. Balls don't like company. Them laying on each other is a sign of dominance. There is really no reason to House two balls together except for breeding. And if you inexperience enough to not realize what the signs of dominance or stress related avoidance then you should t be doing in the first place. My personal preference on the subject is just don't house more than one ball together.


Check out what's new on my website... www.Homegrownscales.com

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Originally Posted by The Serpent Merchant

them staying on separate sides of the cage shows that they do not like each other. and that they have to compete for who gets the hot side. In the wild Ball Pythons live alone from the time that they hatch from the egg. they really should not be kept in the same cage.

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Oy...So basically if they are together they don't like each other and if they aren't together they don't like eachother. :-P I've only had these two for a bit over a week, and fed them after I got them home while I was resetting up the enclosure. I'll work on getting a second home for one of them. :) Thanks for the info.

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Originally Posted by Homegrownscales

Most Definitely the CLUE that they are not happy together. Balls don't like company. Them laying on each other is a sign of dominance. There is really no reason to House two balls together except for breeding. And if you inexperience enough to not realize what the signs of dominance or stress related avoidance then you should t be doing in the first place. My personal preference on the subject is just don't house more than one ball together.


Check out what's new on my website... www.Homegrownscales.com

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As I said they have been together for 5 years and I just got them from friends that have multiple snakes and have had them together for that length of time. I was asking for information so I can do the right thing. I have done some research and read thoughts on both sides. While I appreciate your candor, it came across as being a bit condescending. Everyone has to start somewhere.

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Originally Posted by PeachyFreakinKeen

Oy...So basically if they are together they don't like each other and if they aren't together they don't like eachother. :-P I've only had these two for a bit over a week, and fed them after I got them home while I was resetting up the enclosure. I'll work on getting a second home for one of them. :) Thanks for the info.

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Just to make sure, your aren't feeding them together right? this can lead to bad things.

If you have any questions on how to have them set up feel free to ask.

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Originally Posted by The Serpent Merchant

Just to make sure, your aren't feeding them together right? this can lead to bad things.

If you have any questions on how to have them set up feel free to ask.

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Oh absolutely not feeding them together. I have two large bins and I remove them from the enclosure to the bins for feeding. (well that's how it will be working. I have only fed them once since I have had them; in the bins while I was resetting up the enclosure). They were previously being fed in the enclosure and one would be removed to eat, then the other would be removed to eat. I would rather avoid any striking issues with them thinking they are being fed whenever the top opens to I am not doing it that way.

And thanks a bunch on the offer. I will likely be taking you up on that. :)

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Originally Posted by PeachyFreakinKeen

Oh absolutely not feeding them together. I have two large bins and I remove them from the enclosure to the bins for feeding. (well that's how it will be working. I have only fed them once since I have had them; in the bins while I was resetting up the enclosure). They were previously being fed in the enclosure and one would be removed to eat, then the other would be removed to eat. I would rather avoid any striking issues with them thinking they are being fed whenever the top opens to I am not doing it that way.

And thanks a bunch on the offer. I will likely be taking you up on that. :)

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Feeding them in the enclosure will not get them more aggressive. I too used to believe this but after coming to bp.net learned it was a myth. How big is the tub that youre feeding them in? I would suggest moving one out of the tank and into the tub. Or if you have 2 tubs then give each snake their own tub. And then just feed them in the tub.

http://www.reptilebasics.com/iris-sw...y-or-back-heat

:number1: The best money you'll ever spend.

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Originally Posted by Homegrownscales

Balls don't like company.

My personal preference on the subject is just don't house more than one ball together.

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Hmmmm.

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Originally Posted by PeachyFreakinKeen

Oy...So basically if they are together they don't like each other and if they aren't together they don't like eachother. :-P I've only had these two for a bit over a week, and fed them after I got them home while I was resetting up the enclosure. I'll work on getting a second home for one of them. :) Thanks for the info.

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Well, they prefer to stay away from one another, but they need heat...so when the one on the cold side has had enough, it comes over to the warm side and tries to muscle in to get heat.

ok i was just getting some advice and info doesnt mean i already had them together or anything. no need for overreactions people. not a big deal. everyone has own opinions but no need to freak out over a simple question. thanks tho for info:oops:

Well here is my .02 on this.

So, I went to NARBC today with plans on getting a rack and a new BP. Got there and ran into a beautiful bumblebee. As crowded as the place was I was concerned she would get snatched up so I bought her and went off looking for the racks. None. I mean there were some for big breeders but nothing under $1k. No 4 - 6 tub small racks. So now I was stuck with 1 tank at home and a newly purchased bee. So I started talking to some of the vendors. Their take was very simple. For short term, housing 2 together is not an issue. Many stated they do it when needed. So I stopped sweating it and brought Isolde home to meet Guinevere.

So I got home with Isolde and 2 new black plastic hides. ( Btw - I bought both of my snakes from the same breeder within a very short time of each other. I know everyone is going to criticize for not quarantining but tbh they are a reputable breeder and so i felt there was no risk given the circumstances ). So I arrange the cage with both of the hides on the warm side. Put em both in and watched them for a good 30 mins. My pastel is very skittish and has been since I brought her home. Jumps anytime I walk by the cage and she is out of the hide. Still working on getting her to be handled well. My new bee seems to be a champ and not skittish in the least. Watching them in the cage I kept going back to what so many people on here say about stress, how 2 snakes would just become stressed out together. Honestly, I don't know about long term but I have to say, based on my 2, I just wasn't seeing it and here is why.

Like I said, my pastel is very skittish. When I put them both in, they decided to get a feel of the new cage and setup. Not once did they ever shy away from each other. No jumping, tensing up, nothing. At one point they even "kissed" and then went back to their exploring. This went on for 30 minutes at which time they both went into their separate hides and retired for the night.

My very long and winded point is this...

If you set up the tank in a way where they both can have their own space AND heat, then short term ( less than a month ), I just don't know about the stressing out part. Lets face it. So many on here go on about how balls like their solitude and a happy ball stays in their hide most of the time. Well if they both have hides and both have heat, I'm not seeing where they will have a lot of stressful contact.

* This does not address the issue of not being able to watch each separately for any problems that might arise. I am very aware that there are MANY other factors when talking about housing 2 together. I'm just pointing out that in my very brief experience tonight, I don't think stress would be one for a short term issue.

If you read all that, I'm sorry. Its Saturday night and I'm home and bored.

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Originally Posted by Kyle7676

Well here is my .02 on this.

So, I went to NARBC today with plans on getting a rack and a new BP. Got there and ran into a beautiful bumblebee. As crowded as the place was I was concerned she would get snatched up so I bought her and went off looking for the racks. None. I mean there were some for big breeders but nothing under $1k. No 4 - 6 tub small racks. So now I was stuck with 1 tank at home and a newly purchased bee. So I started talking to some of the vendors. Their take was very simple. For short term, housing 2 together is not an issue. Many stated they do it when needed. So I stopped sweating it and brought Isolde home to meet Guinevere.

So I got home with Isolde and 2 new black plastic hides. ( Btw - I bought both of my snakes from the same breeder within a very short time of each other. I know everyone is going to criticize for not quarantining but tbh they are a reputable breeder and so i felt there was no risk given the circumstances ). So I arrange the cage with both of the hides on the warm side. Put em both in and watched them for a good 30 mins. My pastel is very skittish and has been since I brought her home. Jumps anytime I walk by the cage and she is out of the hide. Still working on getting her to be handled well. My new bee seems to be a champ and not skittish in the least. Watching them in the cage I kept going back to what so many people on here say about stress, how 2 snakes would just become stressed out together. Honestly, I don't know about long term but I have to say, based on my 2, I just wasn't seeing it and here is why.

Like I said, my pastel is very skittish. When I put them both in, they decided to get a feel of the new cage and setup. Not once did they ever shy away from each other. No jumping, tensing up, nothing. At one point they even "kissed" and then went back to their exploring. This went on for 30 minutes at which time they both went into their separate hides and retired for the night.

My very long and winded point is this...

If you set up the tank in a way where they both can have their own space AND heat, then short term ( less than a month ), I just don't know about the stressing out part. Lets face it. So many on here go on about how balls like their solitude and a happy ball stays in their hide most of the time. Well if they both have hides and both have heat, I'm not seeing where they will have a lot of stressful contact.

* This does not address the issue of not being able to watch each separately for any problems that might arise. I am very aware that there are MANY other factors when talking about housing 2 together. I'm just pointing out that in my very brief experience tonight, I don't think stress would be one for a short term issue.

If you read all that, I'm sorry. Its Saturday night and I'm home and bored.

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Kyle, that is about what I have noticed with these two. I'm sure ideally they should not be together, and I will certainly be getting another set-up, but after 5 or 6 years of being together they never had issues with them not eating. I haven't been having issues with them not eating either.

In response to the person that said keep them in the bin I am feeding in that would require a secured lid and a new set-up as well.