Locking? Or just friends.

[maudie]

I have my F Albino BP and my F Normal BP living together in a terrarium right now before I move them into racks. My girls have always been so friendly and loving towards each other but yesterday I noticed their tails locking. I've sexed both of them many times and have always gotten girls from them, never any hemipenes. Is it normal for 2 females to lock at a certain age just because it's a familiar feeling or is it because they're coming up on the age for them to start breeding. Or is one of my suspected females actually a male? I have pictures but no idea how to post them.

[Eric Alan]

Same sex locking is a sign of aggression/dominance. Opposite sex locking is a sign of breeding behavior. Regardless of which you're seeing, are you prepared to act on either possibility?

Ball pythons should not be housed together, regardless of sex. They are not social animals.

Here's how to post pictures: http://ball-pythons.net/forums/showthread.php?t=219160.

[Stewart_Reptiles]

My girls have always been so friendly and loving towards each other

There's a name for that anthropomorphism.

As for locking same sex snakes will lock but the question is how you sure that they are of the same sex? Bigger older animals gain better control and can be harder to sex, so how proficient are you? Have you have had someone confirming those results, if not have someone double check.

[maudie]

.........

[maudie]

I know that in most cases people say ball pythons are not social reptiles but my girls have always done better together than apart. they're given a 40 gallon terrarium, but they're always on top of one another. so that's not the problem here. as for sexing them, I've had them both since babies, so that's when I sexed them. I even bought the Albino (I think might be the male) as a female from LLL. and yes, I am ready to act on either issue. but, regardless of gender, neither of them could successfully be gravid, as they are both less than 500 grams. I'm taking them to get double checked tomorrow though. Thanks for the info

[Eric Alan]

I know that in most cases people say ball pythons are not social reptiles but my girls have always done better together than apart. they're given a 40 gallon terrarium, but they're always on top of one another. so that's not the problem here.

Again, ball pythons are not social animals. Being on top of one another is yet another sign of dominance behavior, not social behavior. They are basically fighting for the warm spot they need in order to thermoregulate.

as for sexing them, I've had them both since babies, so that's when I sexed them. I even bought the Albino (I think might be the male) as a female from LLL. and yes, I am ready to act on either issue. but, regardless of gender, neither of them could successfully be gravid, as they are both less than 500 grams. I'm taking them to get double checked tomorrow though. Thanks for the info

Definitely let us know about how tomorrow turns out.

[frostysBP]

They do not do better together...I will put that on my father's grave!!!!!!!.they are fighting for warm spot....you should really separate them..but what do I know.

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[SmoothScales]

Why does everyone, despite the facts and voices of more experienced keepers, insist their snakes like each other and get along fine? This is not a bash against you but a serious question. It seems to be a running theme. I would suggest you educate yourself on the subject more. In fact I will provide you with an informative link. http://squamishserpents.ca/care-info...-one-enclosure


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[FluppleWott]

Please reconsider your snakes' housing arrangements for the safety of the snakes. I know someon who was always persistent with keeping their adult ball pythons together. One became diseased and died, and gave the other one the disease. Now it's on the verge of death. Just think of your animals.

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[alejandrosantana0420]

Not to be rude or anything you're really stressing them out by housing them together this could lead to serious health problems and even death if you can afford another enclosure soon I recommend you put a divider on the 40 gallon enclosure like said and the previous replies them being on top of each other is a sign of them fighting for the spot and if they are both females and their locking it is a sign of aggression !!!!