Quote Originally Posted by blackcrystal22 View Post
If you are tight on money, you should not be getting these animals in the first place. If you don't have the proper space or requirements to take care of one or both of those animals, then you should not have them. This is not a selfish hobby, you have to accept all responsibility for these animals.

If he doesn't have the extra money for a cage, what if one gets a RI from being so stressed? It wouldn't be the first time I've seen it happen, but that's TWO snakes getting antibiotics and vet visits to cure the RIs. There is a financial responsibility for these animals.

The idea of feeding is possible, and could help. But it will not solve the problem.

I don't know if you completely understand the concept of dominance. The snake whom is dominating can be just as stressed (if not more so) than the snake being dominated. For one, these animals are very simple creatures who act purely on instinct; thus their dominance behavior indicates stress of the other animal communing in their cage and that it's attempting to ward it away.

Also, both snakes will continually compete for the "best spots" in the cage considering security and heat. Would you want to share your single sized bed with another full sized adult?

If these animals were both eating properly and did not roam and act stressed constantly, then by all means take the risks of transmitting disease, breeding, and cannibalism. They're your animals. But one is not eating and that means that this set-up isn't working for these animals just as it has not for many others.

Some species of snake are capable of living together without too much stress or fuss (though there are still some risks) and ball pythons are just not one of those species. If they were, I would not be seeing this reoccurring issue over and over again.

I may sound harsh, but we're talking about having responsibility for lives other than our own. We should treat them with respect and allow them to thrive in our provided environment. Just surviving should never be enough.
Blackcrystal22 is right on the money with her advice. Why do you have these snakes if you can't provide them with their own seperate enclosures? Ball pythons do not cuddle because it is cute and they love eachother. It's no wonder you are having issues with these snakes. You know, I don't have a whole lot of money myself but I make damn sure that I am able to provide for the needs of my snakes. I have a vet fund set aside in the event that anything should go wrong with my animals. I also don't have my bp's housed together. You have been given some good advice, now whether or not you follow it is totally up to you.