Input on multiple snakes in one tank.

[Spaniard]

So, a couple of you spoke up about this. Please, share what you know, where it came from, and what methods the conclusion was reached by.

Thank you.

I reached my conclusion via logic. Two animals sharing a space does provide for the possibility of dominance issues.

While I can't scientifically document its existence I can choose to eliminate it from my husbandry habits.

[wilomn]

I reached my conclusion via logic. Two animals sharing a space does provide for the possibility of dominance issues.

While I can't scientifically document its existence I can choose to eliminate it from my husbandry habits.

Cool. That's a very mammalian point of view. Are you using other mammalian based arguments for keeping?

My dog does better when I let him sleep in my room than when I make him sleep outside. I can see this in his demeanor, appetite and general attitude. I suppose I should, therefore, start sleeping with my snake.

Logically speaking, it's true.

So, still looking for FACTS, afterall there are, unless the posters were just flat out lying, "several breeders" or was that BIG breeders, out there who have said this is true.

If you can post it in public, you can back it up. Or retract it.

[Ben Biscy]

Cool. That's a very mammalian point of view. Are you using other mammalian based arguments for keeping?

My dog does better when I let him sleep in my room than when I make him sleep outside. I can see this in his demeanor, appetite and general attitude. I suppose I should, therefore, start sleeping with my snake.

Logically speaking, it's true.

So, still looking for FACTS, afterall there are, unless the posters were just flat out lying, "several breeders" or was that BIG breeders, out there who have said this is true.

If you can post it in public, you can back it up. Or retract it.

are you a politician? if not, you should be. really.

i'm starting to appreciate your point of view though. if many people say it, it must be true, right?

you could be a little more tactful in your approach to prove a point though.


ime, i've never seen multiples attempt to dominate each other. as mentioned earlier, i've noted from observation that multiples will share a hide if that is the optimal spot for them at that time. i've never witnessed any fighting or attempts at domination from housing together. sure, it's generally accepted that individual housing is best. however, it's also pretty much common practice for sellers and shops to house together, several of one species per habitat. i've never heard of a dominance issue with bp's from multiple housing.

[Skiploder]

a
ime, i've never seen multiples attempt to dominate each other. as mentioned earlier, i've noted from observation that multiples will share a hide if that is the optimal spot for them at that time. i've never witnessed any fighting or attempts at domination from housing together. sure, it's generally accepted that individual housing is best. however, it's also pretty much common practice for sellers and shops to house together, several of one species per habitat. i've never heard of a dominance issue with bp's from multiple housing.

This doesn't mean necessarily that two snakes shouldn't be kept together.

It means that not enough hides were made available.

Multiple snakes can be housed together - but several things should be considered:

- the species of the snakes involved
- the ages of the snakes
- the size of the enclosure
- the number of hides available in the various thermoregulation zones

There are several species of snakes where breeders and keepers, oftentimes, house them together.

Just because it's easier to house them independently doesn't mean you have to.

Would I recommend housing multiple animals together? No. But not because of some behavioral study that has never been conducted or for the propagation of some internet conventional wisdom. I recommend it only because it is EASIER to house animals singly.

[Spaniard]

My dog does better when I let him sleep in my room than when I make him sleep outside. I can see this in his demeanor, appetite and general attitude. I suppose I should, therefore, start sleeping with my snake.

If its your prerogative to do so by all means; be sure to check your local laws, I'm not sure sleeping with your snake is legal everywhere.

If you meant you want to start sleeping with your snake in your room then I would say your logic is flawed. Comparing dogs and snakes are like comparing apples and oranges.

You don't have to agree with my logic but its worked very well for me so far. Nor am I saying anyone else should take my logic for more than it is; MY logic.

[wilomn]

I reached my conclusion via logic. Two animals sharing a space does provide for the possibility of dominance issues.

While I can't scientifically document its existence I can choose to eliminate it from my husbandry habits.

And an issue with dominance, in a species that is not known to have a pecking order, is the ONLY possibility you can come up with?

Heh.

[Spaniard]

And an issue with dominance, in a species that is not known to have a pecking order, is the ONLY possibility you can come up with?

Heh.

Transfer of illness between housed animals is enough of a deterrent for me. Which I did state in my original post.

Sure proper husbandry should in turn produce healthy snakes; but animals get sick regardless at times.

[RebelYell83]

i would just like to add,since we do try to replicate thier natural areas temps and so on,and try to find out how they in the wild,this was one hole

YouTube - Ball pythons in the wild

[CTReptileRescue]

That is some footage. Those are also in the wild where they do not have plastic or glass walls making there living quarter choices for them.
Not debating, just a note (also seemed as if there was a nice clutch there, IE breeding.).

We do not like to house animals together here. I've in the past worked for a handful of pet stores (in my younger years). I understand the business with that, I understand why they house them together ($)

Personally here at the rescue I like to record all possible signs of feces / urates, shedding, and or illnesses. That is just my way of doing things with our animals.
I've tried it both ways (In the past (my younger years..lol) I did keep animals together). I prefer single housing. That's just my opinion as I have learned over the years.
But to you it is your pet(s), and your own way of doing things.
Sincerely
Rusty

PS I have had many drop offs (in fact recently we took in 1.0 & 0.1 ball pythons). Ten years of age and all that time lived together in a twenty long aquarium. The female laid last year but no success with the eggs. Since I have no inclination of breeding they have been separated and in quarantine. I can say they are smaller to me then normal for a ten year old pair…..But this is a different thread all together. (coming soon)

[blackcrystal22]

i would just like to add,since we do try to replicate thier natural areas temps and so on,and try to find out how they in the wild,this was one hole

YouTube - Ball pythons in the wild

I think this depends on the time of year (clearly breeding season where many solitary animals will come together) and the amount of cover in the area.

Stargazer, your animals sound more like lab rats rather than appreciated pets or breeders to me.

Though there is no evidence to back up some of the reasons against housing the animals together, there are also more solid reasons to house them separately than together. If the reason they are housed together is because of money or convenience (I'm not talking about business) then I doesn't sound like the owner should have the animals at all if they are not willing to undergo any circumstance that the animal needs for care despite the money or work. (I am not directing this at the OP in any way, as he intends on making an exhibit later down the road.)

Here are some things to consider though. Yes, you could keep them together and be problem free, but that also depends on what you consider problems or not.
The males seem old enough to breed, as well as that female;are you prepared for babies financially and intellectually?
If one did get an RI for some reason, or had a parasitic problem, would you have enough money to cover all of their vet bills?
What if, by chance, cannibalism were to occur?

Do you have to separate them literally? No.
Should you separate them? Yes.
But this is all my opinion. And I agree with Wes in that, the snakes are perfectly capable of living together and surviving together. That does not guarantee their health and welfare though by any means.

I think, like many others on this forum, that you would not regret separating them. It would add more convenience to feeding, cleaning, and husbandry IMO. I prefer to keep track of what my snakes are doing and what is going on with them. I think this would be difficult in a multiple snake enclosure.

It is our opinions, based off of experience and knowledge of these animals. We can only suggest and add advise. We can't make you do anything.