first time happening

[ratfink721]

I have two 2013 juvinile bps. ones a fire male and the other a mystic male. i was told i could keep them in the same enclosure untill they were about a year old. well i learned last night that the information i had been given was wrong. i was on the couch relaxing before i went to bed. i heard a thud, i look over and these two are going at it. i tried pulling them apart. after a minute of no success, i grabbed my water bottle and drenched them. finally the fire let go and i was able to seperate them. i have them in different enclosures now. ive never seen that before. of course im still fairly new to the bp world. so my question is, when do i need to seperate the young ones? they were together since my friend bought them from repticon with no problems untill last night. im sorry if i posted this on the wrong forum.

[coldbloodaddict]

now would be a good time...


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[ratfink721]

I seperated them as soon as i got them apart.

[satomi325]

Males will fight for dominance like any other species. They can reach sexual maturity within a year. Sometimes even within a few months of birth. Its best to house then individually from the get go.

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[runintoluck]

Do you mind describing what you meant by "going at it" ? How big are these males exactly?

[NH93]

It sounds like they were physically fighting, but good to get a description as well. Do rejecting females of males also fight?
There was recently a video posted on a thread showing two males in a pushing and shoving match, pretty much upright. I wonder if it was like that.

I think with the occasional exception of some species of garter snakes (could be misinformed on that but anyway), snakes are always to be housed seperately. I think some breeders have them housed together at shows - and sometimes young ones all the time, also as with pet stores - to save space. This is generally not a good idea.
Some species are also known to be cannibalistic, like king snakes and even corns - although rare.

I don't think ball pythons have be known to eat each other, but they do fight over resources. Apparently physically from time to time as well.

I am glad you got them apart though! I hope there are no wounds or anything like that. I am sorry you were misinformed... but at least you know now.

Best of luck!

[Slim]

I don't think ball pythons have be known to eat each other

It has happened more often than you might think. A couple years back we had a thread floating around here with some very graphic photos of the aftermath of one BP eating another. I'll see if I can dig it up from the crypt.

Bottom line, Ball Pythons are not communal animals. Period.

[NH93]

It has happened more often than you might think. A couple years back we had a thread floating around here with some very graphic photos of the aftermath of one BP eating another. I'll see if I can dig it up from the crypt.

Bottom line, Ball Pythons are not communal animals. Period.

Oh my... Oh wow... well then, all the more reason to keep them seperate...

(I am okay with not seeing photos)

[Phantomtip]

Never have 2 together unless you're breeding them.

[ratfink721]

Do you mind describing what you meant by "going at it" ? How big are these males exactly?

the mystic male struck the fire male and they wrapped each other up. they rolled around like this untill i got them apart. there both right at 200g. i learned my lesson and they will not be put back together. they are both fine, he didnt even leave teeth marks. thank all of you for the information.