more than 1 ball

[PeachyFreakinKeen]

them staying on separate sides of the cage shows that they do not like each other. and that they have to compete for who gets the hot side. In the wild Ball Pythons live alone from the time that they hatch from the egg. they really should not be kept in the same cage.

Oy...So basically if they are together they don't like each other and if they aren't together they don't like eachother. :-P I've only had these two for a bit over a week, and fed them after I got them home while I was resetting up the enclosure. I'll work on getting a second home for one of them. Thanks for the info.

[PeachyFreakinKeen]

Most Definitely the CLUE that they are not happy together. Balls don't like company. Them laying on each other is a sign of dominance. There is really no reason to House two balls together except for breeding. And if you inexperience enough to not realize what the signs of dominance or stress related avoidance then you should t be doing in the first place. My personal preference on the subject is just don't house more than one ball together.


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As I said they have been together for 5 years and I just got them from friends that have multiple snakes and have had them together for that length of time. I was asking for information so I can do the right thing. I have done some research and read thoughts on both sides. While I appreciate your candor, it came across as being a bit condescending. Everyone has to start somewhere.

[The Serpent Merchant]

Oy...So basically if they are together they don't like each other and if they aren't together they don't like eachother. :-P I've only had these two for a bit over a week, and fed them after I got them home while I was resetting up the enclosure. I'll work on getting a second home for one of them. Thanks for the info.

Just to make sure, your aren't feeding them together right? this can lead to bad things.

If you have any questions on how to have them set up feel free to ask.

[PeachyFreakinKeen]

Just to make sure, your aren't feeding them together right? this can lead to bad things.

If you have any questions on how to have them set up feel free to ask.

Oh absolutely not feeding them together. I have two large bins and I remove them from the enclosure to the bins for feeding. (well that's how it will be working. I have only fed them once since I have had them; in the bins while I was resetting up the enclosure). They were previously being fed in the enclosure and one would be removed to eat, then the other would be removed to eat. I would rather avoid any striking issues with them thinking they are being fed whenever the top opens to I am not doing it that way.

And thanks a bunch on the offer. I will likely be taking you up on that.

[Mike41793]

Oh absolutely not feeding them together. I have two large bins and I remove them from the enclosure to the bins for feeding. (well that's how it will be working. I have only fed them once since I have had them; in the bins while I was resetting up the enclosure). They were previously being fed in the enclosure and one would be removed to eat, then the other would be removed to eat. I would rather avoid any striking issues with them thinking they are being fed whenever the top opens to I am not doing it that way.

And thanks a bunch on the offer. I will likely be taking you up on that.

Feeding them in the enclosure will not get them more aggressive. I too used to believe this but after coming to bp.net learned it was a myth. How big is the tub that youre feeding them in? I would suggest moving one out of the tank and into the tub. Or if you have 2 tubs then give each snake their own tub. And then just feed them in the tub.

[Slim]

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[Skiploder]

Balls don't like company.

My personal preference on the subject is just don't house more than one ball together.

Hmmmm.

[WingedWolfPsion]

Oy...So basically if they are together they don't like each other and if they aren't together they don't like eachother. :-P I've only had these two for a bit over a week, and fed them after I got them home while I was resetting up the enclosure. I'll work on getting a second home for one of them. Thanks for the info.

Well, they prefer to stay away from one another, but they need heat...so when the one on the cold side has had enough, it comes over to the warm side and tries to muscle in to get heat.

[slitherball]

ok i was just getting some advice and info doesnt mean i already had them together or anything. no need for overreactions people. not a big deal. everyone has own opinions but no need to freak out over a simple question. thanks tho for info

[Kyle7676]

Well here is my .02 on this.

So, I went to NARBC today with plans on getting a rack and a new BP. Got there and ran into a beautiful bumblebee. As crowded as the place was I was concerned she would get snatched up so I bought her and went off looking for the racks. None. I mean there were some for big breeders but nothing under $1k. No 4 - 6 tub small racks. So now I was stuck with 1 tank at home and a newly purchased bee. So I started talking to some of the vendors. Their take was very simple. For short term, housing 2 together is not an issue. Many stated they do it when needed. So I stopped sweating it and brought Isolde home to meet Guinevere.

So I got home with Isolde and 2 new black plastic hides. ( Btw - I bought both of my snakes from the same breeder within a very short time of each other. I know everyone is going to criticize for not quarantining but tbh they are a reputable breeder and so i felt there was no risk given the circumstances ). So I arrange the cage with both of the hides on the warm side. Put em both in and watched them for a good 30 mins. My pastel is very skittish and has been since I brought her home. Jumps anytime I walk by the cage and she is out of the hide. Still working on getting her to be handled well. My new bee seems to be a champ and not skittish in the least. Watching them in the cage I kept going back to what so many people on here say about stress, how 2 snakes would just become stressed out together. Honestly, I don't know about long term but I have to say, based on my 2, I just wasn't seeing it and here is why.

Like I said, my pastel is very skittish. When I put them both in, they decided to get a feel of the new cage and setup. Not once did they ever shy away from each other. No jumping, tensing up, nothing. At one point they even "kissed" and then went back to their exploring. This went on for 30 minutes at which time they both went into their separate hides and retired for the night.

My very long and winded point is this...

If you set up the tank in a way where they both can have their own space AND heat, then short term ( less than a month ), I just don't know about the stressing out part. Lets face it. So many on here go on about how balls like their solitude and a happy ball stays in their hide most of the time. Well if they both have hides and both have heat, I'm not seeing where they will have a lot of stressful contact.

* This does not address the issue of not being able to watch each separately for any problems that might arise. I am very aware that there are MANY other factors when talking about housing 2 together. I'm just pointing out that in my very brief experience tonight, I don't think stress would be one for a short term issue.

If you read all that, I'm sorry. Its Saturday night and I'm home and bored.