Two ball pythons in one enclosure

[snoot]

Hi!
So I know in advance I am probably going to receive some criticism from this post but I just wanted to share. I own two subadult ball pythons and have been keeping them in the same enclosure. I now know that this is a bad idea- I have read about aggression, mating too early (I have a male and female) and other issues that can arise. Now that I am more educated on the issue I am saving up to get another enclosure, but in the mean time should I put one snake in a temporary tub? I'm sure most of you will say yes but they have been together for a while now and both eat like crazy and seem very healthy. Is it necessarily very bad for the well being of your snakes to house them together if they seem to do really well in the same enclosure? It's a large tank with multiple hides so it seems like they have their space and like I said they have appeared to be very healthy with eachother thus far.
After reading more on the issue I am getting ready to purchase another home and separate the two, but I was curious about everyone's opinions and if it is urgent to seperate them. I care a lot about these guys I just had seen balls houses together before and didn't realize how stressful and dangerous it can be for them until recently.
-Helen

[PitOnTheProwl]

1- If you see them "cuddling" together, they are not. They are competing for that spot and dominance.
2- say you find poop with worms, poop with blood OR a regurged feed...... Who did it come from?

That all I have to make you think about.
Can they cohabitate? Yes BUT most people are not capable and I don't see having the risk of extra stress worth more than the $13 it would cost for two 28qt tubs.

[redshepherd]

If you happen to have a temporary tub with heating and thermostat anyway, I don't see why not. Some people will say it's urgent, and it is in the way that there's always the very very rare risk of cannibalism.
The main risk (imo) is early breeding, which is dangerous and even fatal for the female if she is too small and does ovulate. The other is long-term stress for both snakes.

ETA: And what Pit said... And if one gets sick, the other gets sick.

[Bassball Fever]

Just out of curiosity, how well do they do with dividers like the ones you can get from Reptile Basics? Is that enough of a separation or would it cause stress?

[PitOnTheProwl]

Just out of curiosity, how well do they do with dividers like the ones you can get from Reptile Basics? Is that enough of a separation or would it cause stress?

I use them. Split the tub and its two habitats.
Mine are from C Serpents.

[Reinz]

It MUST be ok to cohabitate, I see it on Craig's List all of the time!

[BR8080]

It MUST be ok to cohabitate, I see it on Craig's List all of the time!

Again I say, we need a "like" or "LOL" button - that was a good one Reinz