Safe to have boa and ball python out at the same time?

[TequilaMonster]

Good evening,
We currently have a ball python, and are thinking of adopting a boa constrictor as well.
If we adopt this boa, do we risk our 4.5 foot 1500 gram ball python being eaten if we have them out of their vivariums at the same time?

Thanks for reading.

[Gocntry]

Good evening,
We currently have a ball python, and are thinking of adopting a boa constrictor as well.
If we adopt this boa, do we risk our 4.5 foot 1500 gram ball python being eaten if we have them out of their vivariums at the same time?

Thanks for reading.

My boa couldn't eat my 800 gram ball python if it had to...

Could they bite & damage each other Yes

Could they bite you or the other person that has the other snake out Yes.

I've been bitten by a baby ball python and a corn snake, Do I want to be bitten by my Boa or bigger ball python? NO WAY!!

Is it worth the risk? NO.

Just one out at a time... I have 6 snakes never have more than one at a time out...

[bcr229]

It's possible but unlikely that they would hurt each other.

Also bear in mind that they should not even be in the same room, never mind in contact with each other, until after the new arrival has successfully passed its quarantine period.
https://ball-pythons.net/forums/show...antine-process

[Bogertophis]

[QUOTE=TequilaMonster;2722479]Good evening,
We currently have a ball python, and are thinking of adopting a boa constrictor as well.
If we adopt this boa, do we risk our 4.5 foot 1500 gram ball python being eaten if we have them out of their vivariums at the same time? [QUOTE]

Not a likely problem, but I wouldn't handle them close together, just to be safe. Same goes for any other pets too...they don't mix with snakes & most snakes don't mix w/ each other very well. Don't take chances.

And that's before the issue of quarantine: Any & ALL new snakes should be kept in quarantine from other snakes/herps. until you know they didn't come with mites or communicable diseases. There are fatal illnesses
that some snakes (like boas) can harbor without symptoms for longer than ball pythons, which tend to catch & die quickly, so if you value your pets, quarantine them from each other, at least 3 mos. or more, in different
rooms of the house, using disinfectants on all equipment & cages, & change your clothes between working with either snake, etc. And don't re-offer food between them either.

[Craiga 01453]

Neither species are known for eating snakes. The boa will not eat a BP. Not saying it's Impossible, just extremely unlikely.

There are other risks, like mentioned above though. There's really no benefit to having them both out at once, but it likely wouldn't be a problem. They'd probably just ignore each other.

I mean, if you're sitting on one couch with one snake and someone else has the other one out on a seperate couch I don't foresee any problems. Just make sure both people handling the snakes have experience handling snakes and are comfortable intervening if something were to happen.

Do the benefits outweigh the risk? Probably not.

And like the others mentioned, you've got to be sure to follow a strict quarantine process. I highly recommend at least 90 days.

[TequilaMonster]

Thanks, yes, should have mentioned that all normal precautions and quarantine would be taken. Good to see there are others with the same forethought.