Touchy subject that i need some light shined on....

[Mike Cavanaugh]

Because there are experts in the field of herpetology and animal behavior that have spent decades learning all the ins and outs of these animals and documenting their findings for our benefit.

Field work and first hand accounts like Justins and others that have been to West Africa, captive observations, and experimentation all play a part in how we know.

As tempting as it may be to watch a couple of internet videos and justify keeping two ball pythons in an enclosure together ... that's not science, and it's not helping your animals any.

There have been volumes written by experts about basic and advanced aspects of animal behavior ... you should check some of them out.

-adam

I don't know adam.... I have already read some of the volumes you speak of. For example, probably the holy bible of ball python keeping, Ball Pythons: History, Natural History, Care & Breeding by Dave and Tracey Barker.... Did you know that even the Barkers have been quoted as saying that Ball Pythons can be successfully kept together? Sure they pointed out that it was not recommended for the beginner keeper, and that the snakes needed to be of similar size. They also said that males should not be kept together, and females not yet of breeding size should not be kept together with males... But they said it can be done successfully without issue as many keepers have proven over the years.

What about me? I am in no way shape or form a Barker, or any other big name in the business... but what about my collection? I have females that have been house together for a LONG time! Some of those females SIBLINGS I keep by themselves. They are all growing and thriving just the same. Should I just dismiss my own observations and go only with what some of the pros say?