Housing two pythons together

[jkcerda]

Can I put two babies 3-4 months old together? I read that it is NOT advised when they are big. As they might cannabalize each other , do I run the same risk with young ones? I'm working on my second tub/terranium and looking to pick up the second Python first

[StillBP]

I would not
Some people do this but you still risk of cannibalization plus you put undue stress on both snakes
it also makes it a chore to feed them as they will fight over food

[Kokorobosoi]

It isn't recommended. However, recognizing that you may go ahead and do it, I would suggest you have at the least a large critter carrier on hand. Use it for feeding, or possibly use it inside the larger tank to temp house the new one. Not a very good solution, but better than pure cohabitation.

now, my conscious needs me to point out...

canabilization, risk of spreading disease due to a lack of quarantine, undue stress on both animals, the stress on you.

good luck with whatever you choose, and perhaps ask whomever has the animal you would buy if they would hold it a week or so once it's paid for. Most breeders would rather that,than have them cohabiting.

[PitOnTheProwl]

Had you purchased two from the same breeder at the same time I would say its okay for a short period of time while you get another enclosure ready.

Let me ask you this: How are you going to properly quarantine the new snake from the existing one in the same enclosure??

[bcr229]

Let me ask you this: How are you going to properly quarantine the new snake from the existing one in the same enclosure??

^^^^^ WHAT HE SAID.

http://ball-pythons.net/forums/showt...antine-process

[GoingPostal]

Why not work on the cage first and add the snake later? I really have a hard time grasping why people place such a low importance on proper care of a living animal in the need to acquire more immediately. Not just you, this seems to be a constant on here of people adding herps with no place to put them. There's no shortage of ball pythons to buy, there clearly would be no quarantine, the animals would be at an increased risk of illness, stress and yes cannibalization so what exactly is the advantage here and to who?

[distaff]

I always try to acquire "extras."
I have (that is, had) an extra tank, screen lid, and clips. I have (had) 2 "extra" UTH's.

Window shopping snakes is dangerous. My breeder is currently holding a paid-for snake.
I do not make consumer purchases on credit. I told the breeder I can't take delivery until we get paid for pecan harvest, and then I would have the additional discretionary funds for the RHP and t-stat. That all needs to be in place before the snake arrives.

I was asking for a favor, but that was the only way I could make the purchase now. (This guy's avail. stock doesn't stick around for long; I've missed out on other beautiful animals of his before.) That left it up to the breeder to decide if the immediate sale and payment was worth the extra trouble for him.

[Kokorobosoi]

Some breeders are very willing to hold animals for weather issues. Some hold for payment plans. I would try and ask if they would hold due to equipment issues on your part. A thirty day payment plan (which seems the most common in those who accept plans) would give you both time and a spacing of cash flow to let you set up the tank properly.

[wolfy-hound]

No, I would so very much advise against it.

A lot of new owners do experience issues with young BPs not wanting to eat, and having a second in the enclosure would be even more stress and possibly cause eating strikes.

Quarantine should always be observed.

[jkcerda]

Thanks for the replies. I completely forgot about the quarantine .