Can I divide it?

[luggaboom]

Hi, I'm new to this forum. :p
I have two ball pythons in 20 gallon longs, and I'd like to get them a larger place to live in. I happen to have a huge 100 or 150 gallon tank; Not quite sure what it is. It's about 6 feet long and 2 feet wide. Would I be able to put up a divider and keep them both in the same tank? or will I need to get separate enclosures?

[blackcrystal22]

Ok.. to answer all your questions.
No, those are all way too big.
Yes, they need to be divided.

Right now if those ball pythons are still young (hatchlings or yearlings) the 20 gallon is WAY too big for either of them and they shouldn't be together anyway.
There are a lot of good reasons to separate ball pythons.

• Cannibalism is possible.
• If one gets sick, you won't know which one it is because you can't tell which one regurgitated or pooped.
• They could fight or breed (if your not prepared for breeding).
• They will always show dominance to one another. Even with two hides to choose from they will somehow both want the same hide and when one is on top of the other it's not being friendly but showing dominance which causes stress.
• Feeding can be very difficult.

Also, an adult ball python would fit nicely in a 20 gallon, but a young needs a 10 gallon. Bigger is not better and those cages are WAY too large. Bigger cages will cause stress and problems for your ball pythons.
I recommend getting a divider and putting it down the middle of the glass enclosure to separate the two balls and that will be a perfect size for them both. :]

Also, heres a good caresheet that you should read for your ball pythons. It has a lot of useful information and you should use it to make sure your husbandry is in order.
http://www.ball-pythons.net/modules....warticle&id=59
Good luck.

[Jenn]

Could you? Yes. Should you.... well I wouldn't. A tank that large would be a nightmare to maintain temps and humitity. And what a pain cleaning it would be. BP's don't like space. All but the very largest females should be just fine in a twenty long, or up to a 40 qt tub.

[dr del]

Hi,

I might be misreading it but I think he means can he put in a divider in the large tank and keep them serperately on either side.


dr del

[Argentra]

Yes, that's what he meant. He wants to keep one on each side.

HOWEVER there are problems with that plan:

1) Even a 55 gallon tank is way too big for Ball pythons...not in length but in Height. Most tanks over a 30gal breeder are 18" tall or more and BPs don't need any more than 12" of height since they don't climb.

2) If the snakes are under 100 grams, they are still babies that should be in 10 gal tanks, not in 20s and CERTAINLY not in a 100.

That 20 long tanks will be perfect for them once they hit about 6 months old (or around 100grams), but as babies they should be in 10 gal tanks or 12qt plastic tubs.


Get yourself two 10g tanks or 2 12qt Rubbermaid or Sterilite plastic tubs and set them up in there. Then let us know how things go.

(Changed things around once I noticed that the OP said he had them in 20 long tankS)

[spaztheweird1]

i wouldn't do it unless you have monster females like my 5.5 foot female was in a 75 when i got her i have her in a 41 qt for now but i might changes she just looks so cramped

[luggaboom]

They're both 2 years old, so I suppose the 20 gallons should be fine for now.
Thanks =D