Cohabitating BPs-

[Moriah_Boell]

So I have a question!

When we were given our two lil noodles, they came with a shared tank with two hides. I've been reading everywhere that you shouldn't keep more than one in a tank and I completely understand why. My fear with these two is that they'll get stressed out if they separate because they have been together their entire lives (at least four years before we ever got them).

Should I try to separate them or leave them alone the way they have always been? They seem to be pretty chill and never seem to be in any defensive stance with one another.

I'm incredibly new at parenting BPs and really appreciate any advice! Thank you

[Starscream]

Separate. They are definitely stressed now, and while they may not seem affected by it yet, it will eventually result in skipping meals or worse.

[Crowfingers]

Ball pythons don't really fight -not like mammals at least, you would not see them biting and hissing at each other - they would more likely be "snuggling" or curled on top of each other. The "loser" would be forced away from the hide and temperature it wanted and would be unable to self regulate since the dominate snake would keep the choicest spots. This can lead to meal refusals, stress also makes them more susceptible to disease / RI infections. Not to mention if they are opposite gender - resulting in unwanted eggs. Snakes don't form emotional attachments to things, they won't care that they are separated. They are alone in nature except to breed, their biology does not change when in captivity.

You will have healthier snakes if they each get their own proper space

[SDA]

Some snakes cohabitate when they bruminate for the winter. Ball pythons are not cohabitating snakes so it is ok to keep them apart even after living together for 4 years. Thankfully ball pythons are not pack animals so removing them and setting up individual cages won't cause them to miss each other. It really is for the best and something you should get taken care of for everyone's welfare.

[Moriah_Boell]

Thank you everyone, I really appreciate it


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[Zincubus]

Incidentally do they both eat every time ( or virtually every time) or is one or both a bit irregular ??


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[Moriah_Boell]

Incidentally do they both eat every time ( or virtually every time) or is one or both a bit irregular ??


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From what I have been told, they eat almost every time it's feeding day. Worst case from what their previous owners said is that they'll miss one week at most during winter time, but they're pretty on schedule. And the day we got them, it was feeding day and they both ate two small rats each like it was nothing.


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[Craiga 01453]

Yes, separate them. They are solitary animals and will not miss each other. In fact, they'll be happier to not have to fight over ideal hides, hot/cool spots, etc...