My Ball python..agression?

[Sauriantyrant]

I'm sorry if something similiar to this has been posted before. I was helpfully directed here by Royall-y Great.

I have a two foot (roughly) ball python. S/he's (unsure of gender) not aggressive, well not anymore, although s/he has tried to bite me on three separate ocassions when s/he was settling in.

I am planning on getting another snake soon, most likely a corn snake. I know not to house them together but is it possible they will show aggression towards one another if they are both removed to be handled (obviously I will not handle them both, but my friend might want to hold one whilst I hold the other). Is it safe to do this or will they strike one another if they get close?

[Marla]

It's unsafe, but not because of striking/biting. Either one could have diseases or parasites which could be passed to the other. If you quarantine them (separate rooms, clean procedures) for at least 90 days and have them both thoroughly checked by a reptile vet, it should be okay.

[wolfman38]

I currently have a corn and a ball python. I don't handle at the same time. When done handeling one I wash my hands and handle the other. I also feed them in their very own seperate cages. I have taken my BP (while handeling) and put him close to the glass of my corn's enclosure. They looked at each other and did not show any signs of aggresions to each other, although I did not hold him there that long. I think that if you are sure that neither one has any diseases then it should be fine to have them both out at the same time. But keep them at a distance from one another. If they did start to go at each other I would put my money on the BP =). But as y'all keep your distance from one another I don't see a problem with it.

[elevatethis]

Ball pythons are extremely civilized creatures and don't fight amongst themselves, from what I've read, at all even in the wild. I've heard of a dominance type contest that occurrs between males where they basically just see who can get their head highest off the ground; but straight up- ball pythons don't fight.

[Sauriantyrant]

Ah thanks for the help :wink: I'd forgotten about the risk of disease for a moment. I'll be careful with them when I get my corn snake.

[Marla]

Good to hear, and I'm glad you asked before doing it. You'll find people here are nearly always very helpful to anyone who is doing research or planning ahead.