Cohabitation

[Toad37]

Let me start off by saying I KNOW you're not supposed to cohabitate ball pythons, I'm aware that it's ill advised. Having said that, I picked up two rescues today. They're two females about 5 years old. The previous owner said that theyve been living in the same tank for about 6 months! The first thing on my to do list was to separate them after I got them home and cleaned up. But after thoroughly cleaning their tank I held them for a bit because they're new and I was excited! The entire time they were trying their hardest to get back to each other and as soon as they did they curled up together. It was almost like separation anxiety. I put them back in the same tank just to see what they would do and again, they ran (slithered) right back to each other and almost braided together before going into their hide together.

So my question is (finally) would it be okay to keep them together? The previous owner said they've never refused a meal and they seem to be very healthy to me. Their feed day is Tuesday so I will see how that goes.

Like I said in the beginning I know the rules so I'm looking for experienced opinions not criticism please!

[PitOnTheProwl]

You asked a question that you already know the answer to.
I assume you are properly quarantining them from your other animals.
My best question is if you feel that you are rescuing them, why would you take a risk?

[Toad37]

Yes they are quarantined. I just wasn't sure if it was okay to leave them together since they've been together so long. I've read things about some people doing it and it being fine. Was just wanting some advice from someone who has done it and had success. If it is possible to have success. The previous owner wasn't able to care for them anymore. The way it was explained to me sounded a little extreme so took them because I'm able to care for them, so yes I do feel like I rescued them. I'm not against separating them and I do have a spare tank for it but I wasn't sure if reptiles can emotionally attach themselves to each other.

[zina10]

They've probably had to compete against one another for the "perfect spot" the entire time.

In any regular tank with regular (way its supposed to be) hides they will always find the spot that just so happens to be perfect at any given time. Meaning after eating they want it warmer, or they want it tighter, or they want it darker, etc etc

If you have 2 snakes that both figure out what the "perfect" spot at any given time would be, both will compete for it. Both will try to claim it. Sometimes if you have one snake bigger then the other, the looser has to go to a less then perfect spot.

So no, they don't love each other. If anything they try to beat each other to the best spot.

If there was such a thing as "bonding as a pair or friends" you would see it in the wild. I have read that in the wild you sometimes found more then one snake in the same burrow, but again, that was because they competed for that spot, in a area where good hiding spots were scarce.

[zina10]

And even if it worked before (somewhat) and it works now, eventually there will come a time when it doesn't.

What about if you need (should anyway) feed them in their home, feeding 2 snakes in the same enclosure is a recipe for disaster. They may take it from the tongs for now. But sometimes you have to leave food and walk away. Sometimes one finishes first and is in feeding mode while the other still eats. Yup, you may find 2 dead snakes once, one half eaten by the other.

What if you need to monitor one because of a fast. Need to monitor their waste. How would you know which poop goes with which snake ??

Just altogether a bad idea and possible husbandry nightmare in the making...

[Toad37]

Okay separating them definitely sounds better. Thank you for the input

[MR Snakes]

And even if it worked before (somewhat) and it works now, eventually there will come a time when it doesn't.

What about if you need (should anyway) feed them in their home, feeding 2 snakes in the same enclosure is a recipe for disaster. They may take it from the tongs for now. But sometimes you have to leave food and walk away. Sometimes one finishes first and is in feeding mode while the other still eats. Yup, you may find 2 dead snakes once, one half eaten by the other.

What if you need to monitor one because of a fast. Need to monitor their waste. How would you know which poop goes with which snake ??

Just altogether a bad idea and possible husbandry nightmare in the making...

But its such a cute story.

[zina10]

But its such a cute story.

until the tragic end where she ate her husband. the end.

LOL

[MR Snakes]

until the tragic end where she ate her husband. the end.

LOL

Yikes. I take back what I said about you earlier!

[zina10]

yikes. I take back what i said about you earlier!

:p