Raising Ball Python w/ Pet Rats

[7H3LaughingMan]

I am new to this community along with raising and caring for Ball Pythons, after doing some research I have decided on getting one since they are rather docile. However my brother has recently gotten two pet Dumbo Rats that is going to be in a cage in another room. Would their be any issues with caring for a Ball Python with them? I generally am not going to be touching them and if I do going to be washing my hands to remove the smell. Any help would be appreciated.

[JLC]

Welcome aboard!

Shouldn't be any problems at all. I know people that raise rats and snakes in the same room and don't have any issues. The snakes get used to the ambient scents in the room and will zero in when prey scent gets stronger/closer to their enclosure. As you've already noted, just make sure you (or anyone else) thoroughly washes hands between playing with rats and playing with snakes.

[Marrissa]

My rats are in the same room as most of my snakes (in a small apartment bedroom for now so my animals are in my room). I go from handling rats to snakes and vice versa with no problem too. There are two of my snakes that look a bit excited if I smell like rat (the boa and the lemon blast) but everyone else never has any issues.

[Navaro]

Shouldn't be an issue.

The Vomeronasal organ (Jackobson's Organ) that processes the (smell) of prey in the room, doesn't have the range many people often believe it has. You will often see your ball python, when its hungry stick its face in the opening of holes, or hides in your enclosures trying to pick up a 'scent'.

Similarly when dangling prey into your tub or tank, you will notice the closer you get, *then* the snake starts to stir and pick up on it.

Housed even in the same room, there shouldn't be in issue. Right next to each other? perhaps*, and only then... perhaps.

[bcr229]

While I don't keep pet rats, occasionally I will have a leftover feeder that will stay for a few days in a tank I have set up in the snake room. I've only noticed one BP who really reacted by becoming more "foody", and she recently laid a clutch of eggs so she's pounding anything I give her.

My normally "foody" boa shows more hunting behavior at dusk when there's a rat in the room as well.

[Navaro]

That's really interesting and cool. Their range isn't as far as you would think. Although things like heat, lack of air circulation play a huge part in those things.

Really cool nonetheless.


I swear whenever I cook chicken, my boa goes into 'feed' mode, as the smell fills the house. Strange, but true.

[Venoshock]

My ball python reacts to chicken as well!

My mom actually was cooking some a week or so ago and I walked in with her in my hands and she immediately started posturing and striking at the air. I thought it was pretty entertaining but my mom was terrified!

[bcr229]

I swear whenever I cook chicken, my boa goes into 'feed' mode, as the smell fills the house. Strange, but true.

Apparently my boa likes bacon too.

Heck, everyone likes bacon!

[Navaro]

Apparently my boa likes bacon too.

Heck, everyone likes bacon!

haha can't blame em' for that. Bacon makes everything better!