Which snakes can be housed together?

Like the title says, I am researching what will be my two newest pickups (KSB and a childrens python) and I keep comming across conflicting stories, some articles say that you can house multiple KSBs together and the same for childrens (obviously the two different species will be in different enclousures, I'm just asking in case I want to pick up a few more down the line), while others say its a bad idea. Is there any definitive answer as to which snakes (any not just talking about what I am picking up) can be housed together safely?

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Originally Posted by jclaiborne

Like the title says, I am researching what will be my two newest pickups (KSB and a childrens python) and I keep comming across conflicting stories, some articles say that you can house multiple KSBs together and the same for childrens (obviously the two different species will be in different enclousures, I'm just asking in case I want to pick up a few more down the line), while others say its a bad idea. Is there any definitive answer as to which snakes (any not just talking about what I am picking up) can be housed together safely?

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I wouldn't but that's me.

Generally snakes are not community animals. I am not aware of any species that specifically do well housed in pairs.

Short answer... none, really. Snakes are not "social" animals, and live alone. To prevent a multitude of unnecessary problems occurring, all pet snakes should be housed by themselves.

Thanks everyone...thats pretty much what I figured, but thought I would double check.

I've also read that KSBs could be housed together, it's kind of weird that the information is out there. I use to be on the fence about it, but there is a thread on the KSB that a breeder posted pictures of siblings cannibalizing each other shortly after hatching.

IIRC garters are the only ones where it's commonly done as even in the wild they're more "social" than other snakes. We do have two babies in 1 tank, but they're the size of earthworms rattling around in a 10-gallon with tons of hides, more than enough room on the UTH, etc. and they're separated for meals.

If you think about it.. As soon as a snake leaves it's egg, or is birthed, it goes it's own direction, and does it's own thing. If they don't even socialize for a few minutes after they're born, they shouldn't live together. Plus... If you find unhealthy poop or urates, or regurgitation, how will you know who it's from?

I've just gotten into KSBs and from what I've read, people say they aren't territorial and are usually "ok" with each other in that regard. The risk comes from accidental eating of the other snake. i.e. you feed them in separate containers and place back in communal tank.. snake 1 smells "mouse" on snake 2... snake 1 mistakes snake 2 for dinner and.."chomp".

I have considered the same thing... I am leaning towards putting a temporary divider in a 20gl long (plexi and hot glue to hold in place) and keeping my KSB on one end and another on the other side then upgrading to a rack soon. I think this would work as long as the heat pad was in the center of the tank (providing cool spots on either end).

As much as I've spent on my current KSB and will be spending on another one soon, I don't want to risk it.

Artgecko

Aren't rubber boas communal?

Some colubrids and other species can be housed together safely. Some species will not breed unless they have been housed together for years.

I hope Skiploader chimes in. He knows the answer to this really well.

Snail eating species can be housed together! When I get my keeled slug eaters they'll all live as one big happy family as soon as I know they're all healthy and eating. They are virtually harmless to one another.

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Originally Posted by satomi325

Some colubrids and other species can be housed together safely. Some species will not breed unless they have been housed together for years.

I hope Skiploader chimes in. He knows the answer to this really well.

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Why bother Nikki? This topic comes up every month and every month the same people chime in with the edict that NO species should be housed together and ALL snakes are solitary animals who stress when housed with another. Unfortunately, most of those chiming in have experience with a handful of species or less and should re-read the question. This information will now get carried by those who read it as gospel and the disinformation will spread.

Maybe some day people will have the self control to refrain from answering questions they do not know the answer to.

The short version is there are species that should not be co-habitated, species that can be co-habitated under the proper conditions, and some that require it in order to breed.

Any other answer is wrong. Period.

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Originally Posted by Skiploder

Why bother Nikki? This topic comes up every month and every month the same people chime in with the edict that NO species should be housed together and ALL snakes are solitary animals who stress when housed with another. Unfortunately, most of those chiming in have experience with a handful of species or less and should re-read the question. This information will now get carried by those who read it as gospel and the disinformation will spread.

Maybe some day people will have the self control to refrain from answering questions they do not know the answer to.

The short version is there are species that should not be co-habitated, species that can be co-habitated under the proper conditions, and some that require it in order to breed.

Any other answer is wrong. Period.

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You are absolutely right. It does get tiring.
Perhaps a sticky thread should be made for this topic with the listed species that can and/or require cohabitation.
:)

Start Writing Skip!! (or Satomi lol)

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Originally Posted by jclaiborne

Like the title says, I am researching what will be my two newest pickups (KSB and a childrens python) and I keep comming across conflicting stories, some articles say that you can house multiple KSBs together and the same for childrens (obviously the two different species will be in different enclousures, I'm just asking in case I want to pick up a few more down the line), while others say its a bad idea. Is there any definitive answer as to which snakes (any not just talking about what I am picking up) can be housed together safely?

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Both of the species you're asking about can be fine kept in multiple animals per cage. Obviously separate feeding is important, you also need a spare emergency cage you can set up if for some reason you do need to split them up for a period of time, just something to think ahead for and have prepared and ready if needed. All of mine (and I do work with both species) have their own individual tubs in my racks, but from about mid fall through spring, there is almost always something living together. The main reason I don't keep them housed together the entire year is just for a little easier feeding since they're already in their own tubs or if I know I have gravid females that are housed individually.

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Originally Posted by SlitherinSisters

I've also read that KSBs could be housed together, it's kind of weird that the information is out there. I use to be on the fence about it, but there is a thread on the KSB that a breeder posted pictures of siblings cannibalizing each other shortly after hatching.

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I only know of one case, I forget if it was Lee or Mark that had this happen a few years ago, I'm thinking it happened even pre first shed and was an extreme oddity occurance to have happen.