Input on multiple snakes in one tank.

[midtx350z]

I took everything out and took a pic of all teh snakes, notice Cleo in the strike position.

[sg1trogdor]

I didnt notice that the largest is a female? You may want to seperate her unless your looking for babies. But If you see any signs of her being gravid I Would remove her from the others until after she lays and gets back up to weight.

[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.

[midtx350z]

I didnt notice that the largest is a female? You may want to seperate her unless your looking for babies. But If you see any signs of her being gravid I Would remove her from the others until after she lays and gets back up to weight.

Can the small males get her pregnant? Do you think she may already be pregnant? They've been together for a few months. :-S

[waltah!]

Male bp's can breed starting at around 350g, which still a small snake. It depends on the male though, not all would breed at that size. I personally house them all separately, and that's just my choice. No need to have scientific backup for me, it just makes sense. It's up to each individual keeper to make that housing decision. You WILL end up with babies at some point in the near future. That may sound like fun until you try to find homes for normal males and such. I don't know your situation, so that may work for you.
On a side note, that little reduced guy on the top left in that pic is a smoker!
Good luck!

[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.

[waltah!]

The great thing about this hobby is that there is no exact science about how to do things. I myself still firmly believe that housing one snake per enclosure is the best for the snake's health.

It eliminates many variables that may cause an animal not to thrive to the fullest. While we may not be able to prove dominance issues we can certainly eliminate it from our equation if we choose to do so.

With that said you will find many people that have housed snakes together for many years without a problem. It has its risks (illness transfer, possible dominance issues) but it can be done. Its up to the keeper to make a informed decision on what route they want to take.

Just to be fair, let's not forget this post. No need to back that up with scientific research. It's his choice and opinion which is what the OP was asking for at the start of this thread, I believe.

[Joe Cope]

Male bp's can breed starting at around 350g, which still a small snake. It depends on the male though, not all would breed at that size. I personally house them all separately, and that's just my choice. No need to have scientific backup for me, it just makes sense. It's up to each individual keeper to make that housing decision. You WILL end up with babies at some point in the near future. That may sound like fun until you try to find homes for normal males and such. I don't know your situation, so that may work for you.
On a side note, that little reduced guy on the top left in that pic is a smoker!
Good luck!

Smoker?

Please explain?

[waltah!]

Just meant that it's a very nice looking snake...as in "smokin!"

[wilomn]

Cuddling is actually them competing for dominance. Usually this causes the dominated snake to go off feed. I am actually rather surprised that all of your snakes are eating but that still doesn't make it okay to house them together in my eyes.

I've heard that from different breeders.

Keeping secrets from your fellow keepers in just not nice.