2 BP, Seperate Tanks but Next to Eachother...

So I have 2 Ball Pythons, one a Female who is 3 years old and the other is a Male who is 2 years old. I currently have both of their tanks side by side. Usually the female is in her hid during this hour but she has been perched up on her piece of drift wood looking at the other tank and even trying to get out of her cage to get into the other one. Is it okay for these two to be side by side?

I would cover the ends with black or dark paper of some sort as this trick will add to the snake's sense of security :)

if you think its causing a proble line the sides and back of the outside of the tank with black posterboard

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by starmom

I would cover the ends with black or dark paper of some sort as this trick will add to the snake's sense of security :)

---

dang u beat me to it :weirdface

I don't think it is causing a problem, I am just asking if it is bad practice to do so. I think she was just curious...But I am mainly asking to see if it's bad practice because I plan on breeding them in a few months after they get checked by a vet and I want them to be somewhat familiar with each other.

I had all mine in tanks like that before but the sides and backs were covered. I didnt have a problem. That is before I got some dang many of them and moved to tubs.

Problem or not, the back and sides of any tank should be covered with opaque material to make them more secure for the snakes. A lot of people can think that they don't have to do this for adult snakes, since they 'don't react badly and don't stress', but adults don't tend to show stress the same way little ones do. Better to play it safe and just cover the tanks.

Also, unless in a very warm climate, the back and sides of tanks should be insulated as well, lest the temperatures fluctuate too much. Glass is a terrible heat keeper on its own.

My Local Exotic Life/Reptile Depot both said it is fine for them to be side by side because they are 2 and 3 years old.

They even said it is fine to HOUSE THEM TOGETHER if they are the same species of snakes (which they are, both Ball Pytons) and about the same size/age.

Pet stores have limited space, and don't intend to have the animals for long, so of course they won't be housing every animal they have by itself. But housing reptiles alone, with a few exceptions, is what Should be done. For health, safety, and sanitary reasons.

Also, pet store people generally have limited knowledge as well. Who would be most likely to have more and better knowledge: the joe working at a pet shop, or the breeder who's been in the business for over ten years?
And, sad to say, unless it's a pet store owned and run by someone who's been breeding/keeping the reptiles for years... even specialty reptile stores are often wrong on housing info because of how they keep their animals.

The bottom line here is that Ball pythons are secretive snakes who prefer a snug and secure home. Covering the back and sides of glass tanks, and placing clear tubs in a dark rack, are ways of giving them that security.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by djvip510

My Local Exotic Life/Reptile Depot both said it is fine for them to be side by side because they are 2 and 3 years old.

They even said it is fine to HOUSE THEM TOGETHER if they are the same species of snakes (which they are, both Ball Pytons) and about the same size/age.

---

Due to their advice I would advise you to not listen to them :oops:

I have all 3 of my bps side by side in thier own tanks. I found this black foamboard at walmart & blackened out the sides & back of my 3 tanks. They are now less-stressed & temps are almost set in stone.

Argentra is right they love (need) that privacy wall.

I am even considering a removable privacy curtain for the bottom 1/2 of the front of my tanks...but i will post that in a seperate forum.

Heh, I already use a curtain on both my BP tanks when they're eating. Neither one likes being watched, so I drape a baby blanket over each tank front after they take their mouse to give them that privacy. :)

ah nice, installing feeding curtains will be my Sunday bp project then...I love doing anything that involves my bps...lol

Another thing about the side-by-side tanks is last week when i fed my 2 "baby" bps they struck in the same manner, & swallowed in the same manner. Eating ribs first, & not having much luck at that. Then they both switched to the head first at the exact same moment.

They are twins & sure do act like it every feeding night. Even tho they never see each other, its like i have one mirror on the side of ones tank instead of another tank. Unreal.

It was like Deja`vu, just instantly....I wish I would of had lights up to youtube it but...it was very synchronized to say the least.

Aww, sounds cute. :) Two of my little corn girls are like that, and their tubs are one over the other (plastic shelving rack). It's fun to watch the little things our snakes do...

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by djvip510

My Local Exotic Life/Reptile Depot both said it is fine for them to be side by side because they are 2 and 3 years old.

They even said it is fine to HOUSE THEM TOGETHER if they are the same species of snakes (which they are, both Ball Pytons) and about the same size/age.

---

If I made a list of all the bad advice my pet store gives out on ball pythons, it would become a book.

For example - there are no females in the pet trade, breeders hold onto all of them. Oh, so why have I picked up over 10 adult female surrenders from you over the past three years and re-homed them in good homes?

And three years ago telling me that sexing a ball python will sterilize it, so no you can't sex our ball pythons to now - go right on back - you know where they are - you're welcome to sex them!

or - ball pythons require UV lighting. Nope, the average pet store is the last place you want to be getting husbandry advice. There are exceptions to the rule, but they are in the minority.

Oh yeah... mine isn't a book yet, but it's getting there. :)

And I just love that first one about females... too rich.

Some of my favorites include:
'Don't handle them (BPs) at night because that's when they'll bite you.'
'You can keep them in a 10gal tank their whole life.'
And the best one I've heard: 'You don't need extra heat for them'

:rolleyes: