I tried keeping them separated

[jseber1982]

Ok about 2 months ago i separated my BPs as you all told me to do.

They were born together in the same clutch.

I heard that sometimes snakes can fast and not eat for a long time. I separated them into identical 20 gallon tanks. Both of them pretty much completely stopped being active and did not want to eat anything. They seemed to go days at a time without hardly moving.

I put them back together and within a week they both are eating and active again.

I noticed that when they are in here, they are always together and wrapped up together on a little ball.

When i hold them they always go by each other and hang out.

It isnt just one that does it, they each go to each other.

Does it seem like it is ok to keep them together? I know everyone says it is cruel to keep them together, but after watching them they seem happier i think.

[starmom]

Ok about 2 months ago i separated my BPs as you all told me to do.

They were born together in the same clutch.

I heard that sometimes snakes can fast and not eat for a long time. I separated them into identical 20 gallon tanks. Both of them pretty much completely stopped being active and did not want to eat anything. They seemed to go days at a time without hardly moving.

I put them back together and within a week they both are eating and active again.

I noticed that when they are in here, they are always together and wrapped up together on a little ball.

When i hold them they always go by each other and hang out.

It isnt just one that does it, they each go to each other.

Does it seem like it is ok to keep them together? I know everyone says it is cruel to keep them together, but after watching them they seem happier i think.

You might be anthropomorphizing. It will be interesting to read the responses from others who know far more than I in this matter...

[stangs13]

Snakes arnt social. Its a dominant thing that you are seeing. They don't make friends, they don't love each other. They are better off separate. But I don't know what to say about the feeding thing, but I am sure after a few more trys they will.

[rabernet]

Rather than put them back together, I would have put each of them in smaller tubs, and they likely would have fed for you again. Sounds like they were behaving just like ball pythons should when they were separated (aside from the not eating - which was probably because their enclosure was too open to feel secure).

Everything you described is dominance behavior.

[littleindiangirl]

I think that a 20 gallon is a large enclosure in the first place, have you tried a small snug tub?

[jseber1982]

No i have not tried smaller tubs.... when i feed them, i take them out and put them in a small 1x2ft tub

[jseber1982]

I figured that they felt secure. Half of the time they burrow down into the substrate and i dont even see them

[stangs13]

No i have not tried smaller tubs.... when i feed them, i take them out and put them in a small 1x2ft tub

Go buy some 6qts. If you can get them in black, go for it. Then feed them in there tubs like that. Buy some binderclips for the tubs too. good luck!

[Nate]

Have you attempted to feed in their enclosures? moving them around before feeding them may only bother them.

[viciousbleu]

Yeah, with balls- what looks like cute cuddling is really a play for power to prove who is in charge in the cage.

Snakes suffer some of the worst out of animals when it comes to anthropomorphizing.

What looks like snuggles is a power struggle, what looks like smiling/happy dog panting is usually an RI and a big hug from a burm is never out of love!