Tips on how I can reduce stress while BPs are caged together?

I can't separate them until spring break. That's when I'm building my tub rack. Even though that's only a few weeks away I feel obligated to make the last week or two less stressing.

I've tried putting multiple hides on both sides, but they ALWAYS stick together. o_0 They're all the same hides and the same temperature, so I don't know why.

I can't make JUST the tubs either because I just don't have any money until spring. And, I mean $0, literally. I have to give all my allowance to my parents to pay for rats now >_> So I have to wait until I start my job.

I have an extra 10 gallon, but I'm guessing it's too small. Besides, I don't have another under-tank heater.

Anyway, does anyone have any tips? They've been together for 3 and a half years (I was uninformed about multi-python housing).. so, should I just let it be for a few months or do something?

They're on top of each other for dominance, most likely.

You can try to make a temporary divider?

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Originally Posted by DutchHerp

They're on top of each other for dominance, most likely.

You can try to make a temporary divider?

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x2 even something made out of cardboard or some other found material can work. They might be a bit cramped, but it will be better than them being stressed.

If they've been together that long I would just wait a few more weeks, it really isn't going to make a difference at this point... I mean definitely try the divider out of cardboard but 3.5 years...what is 2 more weeks? Am I wrong to think this way?

Look realistically and as much as I hate to say it, but these snakes have lived together for over 3 years without major incident (or perhaps I missed you mentioning anything happening) so likely the short time until you can sort out their housing isn't likely to kill them. It's not a great situation and certainly not the recommended form of housing but unless you can divide the enclosure and provide the right heats and temps on both sides, you and your snake are rather stuck with what you have.

I assume you've always seperated them for feeding and so forth. If they are breeding age, different genders and have locked up, you best prepare for eggs.

This, by the way, is not any sort of support of communal housing for these snakes - I'm just being realistic here as best I can be in my advice to you. Likely your snakes have dominance behaviours and long term stress but if they've survived this long they likely will until spring break. However, at that time make it a priority to get them set up seperately. They deserve to thrive, not just survive.

If they have been together that long and are eating ok, I would think making major changes to their environment would be more stressful than just leaving them alone until you have your rack setup ready to go. I don't see any reason to cause more stress now, weeks before separating them.

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Originally Posted by frankykeno

Look realistically and as much as I hate to say it, but these snakes have lived together for over 3 years without major incident (or perhaps I missed you mentioning anything happening) so likely the short time until you can sort out their housing isn't likely to kill them. It's not a great situation and certainly not the recommended form of housing but unless you can divide the enclosure and provide the right heats and temps on both sides, you and your snake are rather stuck with what you have.

I assume you've always seperated them for feeding and so forth. If they are breeding age, different genders and have locked up, you best prepare for eggs.

This, by the way, is not any sort of support of communal housing for these snakes - I'm just being realistic here as best I can be in my advice to you. Likely your snakes have dominance behaviours and long term stress but if they've survived this long they likely will until spring break. However, at that time make it a priority to get them set up seperately. They deserve to thrive, not just survive.

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Yeah. I haven't even had a feeding problem.

It's only a 40 gal, so I SHOULD be able to separate it. I'm not sure how I'm going to regulate the heat, though--I only have 1 heat pad.

Thanks for the advice everyone! And, they don't lay on top of eachother, they're usually side by side. It's really weird--and when one one on top of the other (it doesn't happen very often) but it's 100% random and it's usually only after a feed. :P I don't know. These snakes are so weird. XD They don't act like anything they should

They're not wierd, they have just adapted to a situation you placed them in (not slamming you, just being honest here). Given a preference they would have very likely stayed away from each other, except to breed, as they are a naturally solitary creature. Now that you are more aware of their needs, I know you'll address the housing issues and do your best for your scaley buddies. :)

Btw remember when it comes to housing, if you end up staying with tanks to check craigslist and ask your friends. You'll be amazed at how many used tanks are sitting in people's garages and basements. I can't remember the last time I actually paid for a glass tank LOL (most of my glass tanks are for rodents though).

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Originally Posted by frankykeno

They're not wierd, they have just adapted to a situation you placed them in (not slamming you, just being honest here). Given a preference they would have very likely stayed away from each other, except to breed, as they are a naturally solitary creature. Now that you are more aware of their needs, I know you'll address the housing issues and do your best for your scaley buddies. :)

Btw remember when it comes to housing, if you end up staying with tanks to check craigslist and ask your friends. You'll be amazed at how many used tanks are sitting in people's garages and basements. I can't remember the last time I actually paid for a glass tank LOL (most of my glass tanks are for rodents though).

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Okay. xD I'll ask around some friends sometime. And I don't blame you, even if you are slamming me. The store said I SHOULD keep them together. I feel so bad that I kept them together for 3.5 YEARS. ugh. I wish I had found BP.net a lot sooner. :snake:

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Originally Posted by Flicker

Okay. xD I'll ask around some friends sometime. And I don't blame you, even if you are slamming me. The store said I SHOULD keep them together. I feel so bad that I kept them together for 3.5 YEARS. ugh. I wish I had found BP.net a lot sooner. :snake:

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You do get to "blame me" if I'd slammed you. We don't do that at BPNet and as a Mod I'd definitely be in hot water for that.

Anyways, you're not the first to get really bad advice from a so called "reptile expert" at the pet store and sadly you won't be the last. What would be bad is if you did find this new information out then decided to ignore it. You have been willing to listen, to learn and are going to make some great changes for your snakes. I think that's the mark of a good keeper so don't be too hard on yourself okay.

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Originally Posted by frankykeno

You do get to "blame me" if I'd slammed you. We don't do that at BPNet and as a Mod I'd definitely be in hot water for that.

Anyways, you're not the first to get really bad advice from a so called "reptile expert" at the pet store and sadly you won't be the last. What would be bad is if you did find this new information out then decided to ignore it. You have been willing to listen, to learn and are going to make some great changes for your snakes. I think that's the mark of a good keeper so don't be too hard on yourself okay.

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But, I just don't understand--If someone is going to start a reptile shop, they should do some research? know what they're talking about? I bought a BP book and read the whole thing and the reptile buy told me VERY VERY
specificly to house them together... o_0
I am so mad. The reptile store i bought from game me so much bad information, and sexed my pythons wrong. ugh.

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Originally Posted by Flicker

But, I just don't understand--If someone is going to start a reptile shop, they should do some research? know what they're talking about? I bought a BP book and read the whole thing and the reptile buy told me VERY VERY
specificly to house them together... o_0
I am so mad. The reptile store i bought from game me so much bad information, and sexed my pythons wrong. ugh.

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I share your frustration, most of us here do. I've personally seen the damage done by poor pet store advice and the havoc it wrecked on the snakes. Having said that though, in this day and age of computers, it's still encumbent on the purchasers to do as much research as possible. Here's a hint from my own "playbook". Don't ever listen to one source or even two. Research your fingers off. Don't believe much of anything until you first verify the source actually knows their stuff and you've found the same or very similar information from two other independent sources. You don't have to rude to anyone but you have every right as a responsible snakekeeper to question why that piece of advice is sensible and how that person gained that knowledge they've shared with you. Anyone that can't back up a statement isn't worth your time to listen to, me included.

As far as pet stores, some get into it for the cash, some start with mammals and get into reptiles and totally blow it. Some, far too few, are wonderful places that do a great job. Wish we had more of those.

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Originally Posted by frankykeno

I share your frustration, most of us here do. I've personally seen the damage done by poor pet store advice and the havoc it wrecked on the snakes. Having said that though, in this day and age of computers, it's still encumbent on the purchasers to do as much research as possible. Here's a hint from my own "playbook". Don't ever listen to one source or even two. Research your fingers off. Don't believe much of anything until you first verify the source actually knows their stuff and you've found the same or very similar information from two other independent sources. You don't have to rude to anyone but you have every right as a responsible snakekeeper to question why that piece of advice is sensible and how that person gained that knowledge they've shared with you. Anyone that can't back up a statement isn't worth your time to listen to, me included.

As far as pet stores, some get into it for the cash, some start with mammals and get into reptiles and totally blow it. Some, far too few, are wonderful places that do a great job. Wish we had more of those.

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Yeah. I feel bad, BUT I just really obtained tech-literacy. lol. I wouldn't have had a clue what to do. I'm glad they've made the "best" of the situation though. I can't wait to get the tubs/new tank set up. :)