Well first of all, WELCOME!!! Please remember everyone here is very passionate about their animals (just like you) so please listen to all of the advice given.


From what you described, it sounds like you are housing them together. Although it seems like they can get along and be "friends" it is very untrue. Ball Pythons are unsociable animals and do not make friends and do not do well when housed permanently with other ball pythons. They WILL compete for dominance and if one gets sick, they both get sick, double vet bills. Also it is very hard to keep track of who has pooped and who has shed and who has peed. It is important to know these things because they are indications that you have a healthy ball python.

That being said, your best bet is to separate them.


When you use the word "habitat" I get this image in my head of a huuuge enclosure with lots of foliage and hides (I hope!). Well it is surprisingly quite the opposite for ball pythons. They actually prefer smaller enclosures with two identical TIGHT fitting rock cave type hides (the kind with one small opening). So if you do indeed have a larger enclosure, it shouldn't be too hard to put a divider in the center and give each their own smaller space.

Since you are worried about temps (which you very well should be!) I will make a few assumptions. I assume that you are not using digital thermometers with a probe. You will absolutely need some of these to get accurate readings of the SURFACE where your ball python will be. Remember, Ball pythons are ground dwelling snakes so you need to measure the temps at their level.

A UTH doesn't really raise the air temperature very much (which is what those stick on gauge thermometers read). They do get the ground VERY hot if used without a thermostat. A thermostat is required to be used with any heating element. A UTH can get up to 115* easily and that is way more than enough to cook your snake.


I really hope this helps point you in a new direction for taking care of your new kids! If you have any more questions or need more help with your setup, don't be afraid to ask. All we want to do here is help teach other BP enthusiasts how to successfully care for their babies