Multiple snakes out at once??

Ok, so this is something I've never done. I've never had more than one of my snakes out at any given time. I've seen plenty of pictures and videos of people having more than one snake out, interacting. Most commonly it's snakes of the same species, but not always.

So, for months I've been curious about bringing out more than one snake at a time, but have been reluctant to this point. I have primarily been curious about how they might interact together. It might be fascinating to watch.

Tyson (BP) is just under 800 grams after his winter fast, Django (King) was 778 last weigh in, and Juice (Borneo STP) is around 700 grams. Needless to say, Cosmo the 60 gram hognose will not be an option, especially around Django.

The safety of the animals is paramount, and really my only priority.

That being said:
- has anybody else had these species or similar species out at the same time?
- were there any negative interactions?


Ultimately, is it something I should feel ok about trying, but obviously with extreme caution? Or should I avoid it completely and just let my curiosity wander?

Other than for your amusement, why bring them out together?

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Originally Posted by craigafrechette

Ok, so this is something I've never done. I've never had more than one of my snakes out at any given time. I've seen plenty of pictures and videos of people having more than one snake out, interacting. Most commonly it's snakes of the same species, but not always.

So, for months I've been curious about bringing out more than one snake at a time, but have been reluctant to this point. I have primarily been curious about how they might interact together. It might be fascinating to watch.

Tyson (BP) is just under 800 grams after his winter fast, Django (King) was 778 last weigh in, and Juice (Borneo STP) is around 700 grams. Needless to say, Cosmo the 60 gram hognose will not be an option, especially around Django.

The safety of the animals is paramount, and really my only priority.

That being said:
- has anybody else had these species or similar species out at the same time?
- were there any negative interactions?


Ultimately, is it something I should feel ok about trying, but obviously with extreme caution? Or should I avoid it completely and just let my curiosity wander?

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Originally Posted by Skyrivers

Other than for your amusement, why bring them out together?

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That's kinda my thought as well.
I was thinking it might make a great photo opp, but haven't yet because I'm afraid of potential disaster. It would take a LOT of reassurance from the RIGHT people before I realistically consider it.
There's clearly nothing to gain for the animals, so yes, it would be for my benefit. So before I really start thinking about it, I figured I'd get some feedback from people with experience and go from there. If it's any-risk-at-all vs no reward, it'll never happen.

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I also thought it might make an educational thread for others.

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Originally Posted by craigafrechette

That's kinda my thought as well.
I was thinking it might make a great photo opp, but haven't yet because I'm afraid of potential disaster. It would take a LOT of reassurance from the RIGHT people before I realistically consider it.
There's clearly nothing to gain for the animals, so yes, it would be for my benefit. So before I really start thinking about it, I figured I'd get some feedback from people with experience and go from there. If it's any-risk-at-all vs no reward, it'll never happen.

- - - Updated - - -

I also thought it might make an educational thread for others.

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When I take them out to let people handle them I keep Rainbow away from my BPs because she looks at them with a "I wonder what you taste like?" look. LOL. Even when I had Lucy (RTB) I kept them apart just to be safe when out. That is my limited experience though. Would like to hear others.

I’ve had multiple ball pythons out at once. 2 smaller ones around 200 grams male and female and a big male around 1000 grams. It was for a pic but they didn’t really mind, they really don’t react to each other.

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Originally Posted by aes1004

I’ve had multiple ball pythons out at once. 2 smaller ones around 200 grams male and female and a big male around 1000 grams. It was for a pic but they didn’t really mind, they really don’t react to each other.

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Thank you for the reply. If I had multiples of one species I would be less reluctant. But I'm curious to hear more about different species while out.

Thanks!

I get a few of my boas out together for photos but only if there’s two of us ,as you know they just so strong when they want to go somewhere and they don’t want to, the last time I did that by my self one went under the sofa while I was putting the other two back


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I've only done it once to get a picture size comparison between my adult and young BP. It was probably 30 seconds max, so neither really reacted. I wanted to picture for when they're both adults I can get a similar growth comparison picture.

None of my other species are large enough that I'd be comfortable setting them down on the floor just yet, other snake or no. The adult BP, maybe the younger one, are the only ones slow and big enough.
When Noodle hits a couple hundred grams, I'd consider him with one of the BPs under the same situation.. hands hovering, under a minute, as a photo op.

With similarly sized snakes, I doubt that short of a time is going to be a problem for non-snake-eaters. I dont see much point in anything longer based on how little reaction I saw to the other snake, positive or negative. It was like they registered contact and acted like it was environmental, like a hide or rock or plant.

Obi (spider) basically said, look a shadow! And moved that way.. Vega (banana) froze and acted invisible like he usually does when set on open ground. He got moved over to relax some while I put Obi back in his cage after the picture, which he did after a few minutes like usual.
https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/201...e3563ffe5f.jpg

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I wouldn't do it. At least not so they are close enough to interact. They are still predators, though they seem peaceful enough to us, & things can be
misinterpreted. I once put together a well-fed adult pair of amelanistic black rat snakes to breed. The female had produced before, but not by this male.
All seemed ok & I was out of the room briefly...when I came back, he had killed her & was in the process of swallowing...:O Just saying...?

Craig, this is my opinion only, no real experience.
I would feel comfortable with the Borneo and Ball together. The King snake on the other hand might try to eat the others? They go after Rattlesnakes in the wild.

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Originally Posted by RickyNY

Craig, this is my opinion only, no real experience.
I would feel comfortable with the Borneo and Ball together. The King snake on the other hand might try to eat the others? They go after Rattlesnakes in the wild.

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Oh, NEVER with king snakes...I agree, they are ophiophagus (snake eaters). Some others (similar kinds like milk snakes, longnose snakes) are too, though smaller
and less risk. Indigo snakes too...and cobras (hopefully you would NOT be letting any cobras out to roam, lol).

I wouldn't do it with something like two male retics due to the risk of them fighting.

A couple of ball pythons or boas for a group photo shoot, no big deal.

considering i only own beeps and one colubrid, i don't have much of the experience you're looking for but i'll try to help!

Django is the only one that i would worry about being out, as he is a natural snake eater and the risk does not outweigh the reward. the others i wouldn't worry about too much. my 2 beeps that are in QT right now are due to graduate at the end of this month, and i plan on trying to get a group shot of all the pythons together. :)

i've only taken 2 beeps out at a time (Spaghetti and Yellow, Coffee Bean and Pumpkin), and i didn't have any issues with them being around one another, nor did a size difference result in any issues.

I’ve had my older male and my young female out with no problem. They kinda slithered over each other with out a regard for each other at all.https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/201...5ab6f94a18.jpg Also I’ve had my sisters tiny little cornsnake out with my big boy with no problems whatsoever.
That being said, I’d have them out together the handling session after a feed, and no other day after just so no one is just a tad bit hungry to try to take a bite.


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Originally Posted by JustinGatCat

I’ve had my older male and my young female out with no problem. They kinda slithered over each other with out a regard for each other at all.https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/201...5ab6f94a18.jpg Also I’ve had my sisters tiny little cornsnake out with my big boy with no problems whatsoever.
That being said, I’d have them out together the handling session after a feed, and no other day after just so no one is just a tad bit hungry to try to take a bite.


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I've had Royals out together - never an issue .. I'd probably trust Corn snakes as well - maybe not two males in the breeding season :)


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I am interested about this as well. I had my Dumeril’s and scrub out together once several months ago, because I had the rare opportunity of two other snake-loving people with me. They each held one and kept an eye on body language, while I watched like a hawk/nervous mother.

The two didn’t seem to care about each other much at all, though with snakes, who can tell. He came up to see what she was and then quickly got bored and did something else. He often checks out her cage if he’s out roaming, but he lived in it for a couple months during the winter, so it’s likely more of a “hey, that’s my room!” than it is him trying to get her.

A few weeks ago, I had a brief fiasco where he got inside her cage with her in it and I reacted so quickly (and shrilly) that I couldn’t stop to gauge body language.

In any case, I have only gotten to try it once, as I want to be safe for them and feel definitely 2 people should be present.https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/201...e5e0f51bae.jpghttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/201...a751d1dd9b.jpg


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I've only intentionally done it with same species. Pairs and groups. Always keeping a close eye on them. Some males of species will combat so be careful with that as well.

I would not have a king snake out with any species, not even another king. Better safe than sorry even if the king is smaller of the two.

Once had a baby corn snake escape, I was doing some work in my ATBs and had a juvi ATB cage open. Left the room to wash stuff, came back in and bam - my atb was coiled around the baby corn. The corn had somehow found it's way in there in a very short amount of time. The ATB was not trying to eat the corn, it was a male dominance thing, luckily I found them quickly and they were both unharmed. I named the baby corn "Trooper".

I think you're pretty safe with BPs out together, as they are very chill snakes, while many others have stronger predatory behaviors. Always remember
their keen sense of smell...I believe snakes can smell the tiniest bit of rodent scent from a recent meal on another snake's face...and I've seen many
snakes appear to wipe their faces after eating for what I'm guessing is precisely that reason (so another snake they might encounter doesn't make a big
mistake and bite them)? It also makes a big difference if you have a pair of hands ready for each snake that is out.

As AbsoluteApril said, king snakes cannot be trusted, not even with their own kind, & not even with mating.

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Originally Posted by Bogertophis

I think you're pretty safe with BPs out together, as they are very chill snakes, while many others have stronger predatory behaviors. Always remember
their keen sense of smell...I believe snakes can smell the tiniest bit of rodent scent from a recent meal on another snake's face...and I've seen many
snakes appear to wipe their faces after eating for what I'm guessing is precisely that reason (so another snake they might encounter doesn't make a big
mistake and bite them)? It also makes a big difference if you have a pair of hands ready for each snake that is out.

As AbsoluteApril said, king snakes cannot be trusted, not even with their own kind, & not even with mating.

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I kinda pictured two Kings mating but each wearing a muzzle :)


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Originally Posted by Zincubus

I kinda pictured two Kings mating but each wearing a muzzle :) ....

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:rofl: Actually, when I kept king snakes & bred them, I handled first the female so as to get her scent on me (on my clothing), then put her back in her cage &
handled the male, watching his reaction to her scent. Then I put each one in the other's cage for a while. Only then, if he seemed interested in mating, not
eating, did I allow them together with careful supervision. That worked well, I had no mating accidents with king snakes, ever. I "expected" problems with
my king snakes...but I was horrifically surprised to lose my female amel black rat snake to a breeding accident, as they aren't known for that. It's because
snakes can always "surprise" us that we always need to be cautious.

I've only done this with two of my female adult BPs for a photo. I've thought about it with my boas, but all three are very different size-wise and I don't even think I'd be comfortable doing it just for a photo. I would not consider it with different species unless there were say, 2 handlers, one for each snake and each was being held for a size comparison or something.

Thanks for all the replies everybody!!

This was all the reinforcement I needed that it was an absolute no way with Django. Even if people were saying they'd done it successfully I probably never would have trusted a King enough to put him around any of my others.
I guess I was most curious about him.

I may, may, try to introduce Tyson and Juice someday, both being pythons of similar size. But that's a huge maybe. I'd have to find the right person to be there with me too.

Thanks again all, and keep the replies coming!!

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Originally Posted by Zincubus

I kinda pictured two Kings mating but each wearing a muzzle :)


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From what I've seen and read, it's common for male Kings to bite females on the neck when mating. I watched a video just recently actually. Somebody happened to stumble upon two Kings mating on what appeared to be a hiking trail and took a cell phone video.

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Originally Posted by craigafrechette

From what I've seen and read, it's common for male Kings to bite females on the neck when mating. I watched a video just recently actually. Somebody happened to stumble upon two Kings mating on what appeared to be a hiking trail and took a cell phone video.

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Yes, sometimes they do that. But we all know what snakes do when they're trying to kill & eat...it's a whole different scene & the intent will be obvious.
(also, it might be the female going after the male as dinner)

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Originally Posted by Bogertophis

Yes, sometimes they do that. But we all know what snakes do when they're trying to kill & eat...it's a whole different scene & the intent will be obvious.
(also, it might be the female going after the male as dinner)

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No doubt. I've seen videos of Kings fighting in the past. This was the first mating video I'd seen. Their behaviors were entirely different.

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Originally Posted by craigafrechette

From what I've seen and read, it's common for male Kings to bite females on the neck when mating. I watched a video just recently actually. Somebody happened to stumble upon two Kings mating on what appeared to be a hiking trail and took a cell phone video.

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Jees , I'd be a nervous wreck [emoji4]

Muzzles for them both :)


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I was curious about this topic too, Craig! Definitely interesting!

With a female BP around, I’ve seen videos of putting two males in the same tank to entice them all to mate. The males fight and the breeder takes the male he doesn’t want to breed out. Interesting but not something I would do; feels wrong.


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Originally Posted by Spechal

With a female BP around, I’ve seen videos of putting two males in the same tank to entice them all to mate. The males fight and the breeder takes the male he doesn’t want to breed out. Interesting but not something I would do; feels wrong.


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I've never bred BPs, but now that you mention it, I remember reading that some breeders do this...& I'm with you, no thanks!

I usually take the short tails out once a year for a group shot, but they don't really move, I set them all facing away from the next and not super close. So 5 snakes out together, but not directly interacting. The faster moving snakes I wouldn't risk it with.

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Originally Posted by Spechal

With a female BP around, I’ve seen videos of putting two males in the same tank to entice them all to mate. The males fight and the breeder takes the male he doesn’t want to breed out. Interesting but not something I would do; feels wrong.


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Only if is the winning male that gets taken out of the tank, he would probably be like "What just happened?" :rofl: