About three months ago I got two new ball pythons from a friend of a friend, ages unknown. I already had a 5 year old male, Kenny (had him for 4 years). They are all approximately the same size, the new female, Maisha is a bit bigger than the others and the new male, Munene is thicker than Kenny. The new guys were quarantined for a month, then I took all of them to the "Serpentarium" for checkups, and they were all pronounced healthy. For the past two months they have all been housed together in a big 6' long glass tank. The two new guys eat a small to medium rat every week and Kenny eats whenever he feels like it. (Last winter I didn't have a place to live, so he had to bounce around my friends houses, and this stress set him off his food (as expected). He last ate three months ago, but he's healthy and active, I'm not worried about him, and was told at his checkup not to worry as well.)

This week however, I've had some changing behaviors. Today is feeding day, and Maisha refused to eat (she's been a great eater) and Munene ate two rats. (previously they both ate one and refused a second if offered) Then after I returned them to their home, Kenny and Maisha started combating. Munene got in on it a little, then went and curled in the corner. They did that for about 20 min, then calmed down then again an hour later. Now their all back to normal.

Does this mean Maisha is male, not female like I was told? Very possible.

The temp is generally 80-85 in the cage, with an uth in one corner (I don't know the surface temp above the heater). They have a large dog bowl for water, a log to hide under and another log to climb, plus a small hide. I use coco bark strata (the kind you get wet and it expands...) so tank has humidity. They generally hang out by the heater right after they eat, then as the week progresses move towards the cool side and on saturdays Maisha is poking her head at the screens "begging for food".

I've only had these guys three months, so "normal" is hard to guess. I have done lots of reading and talking to other bp owners and think housing them together is fine for my situation. I don't mind a clutch of eggs, I have the time and money as well as homes for offspring...

Can I just let nature take it's course? All I've read tells me so... I'd like your opinions (please be nice) and recommendations for better temp control. (Right now the uth is always on and a red basking light is turned on above it during the day (sporadically). I know this is not ideal. I also know I should add another hide or two.

Thanks