keeping ball pythons together?

[the_mechanic]

A friend of mine's parents are splitting up and he moved out of his house. He needs a good place to stay until summer, so he's staying with me. He's got a ball python, and I was just wondering if it'd be alright to keep them together. It's only for about a month, and both of our balls are about the same age and size. I have a 96 quart rubbermaid. What do y'all think?

[SatanicIntention]

I wouldn't, even if it is for a month. If he has a ball right now, what is he keeping it in? There shouldn't be any reason why he can't keep it in it's current enclosure. You can never know if either snake has parasites, and if kept together, could spread it to the other snake. If one defecates, you don't know which one excreted it, especially if it looks abnormal. They will have to compete for hiding places, optimal temperatures and humidity, and in their minds, food. It will ultimately stress them out more than necessary. I would just keep them separate while he is living with you.

[rex322]

nicely put.

[Nate]

I agree with SatanicIntention...a simple set up can be made out of a rubbermaid...cheapo

[dystopia]

I also totally agree with what SatanicIntention said and would only like to add that i wouldnt even keep them in the same room because of the aforementioned parasites.

[SatanicIntention]

Eh, I wouldn't go that far. If you treat his snake like a new addition, the snake should be treated like a quarantine. In a separate room, cage cleaned on separate days with separate cleaning supplies. When the snake is fed, separate hemostats should be used, or if feeding live, no worries. It's alot of stuff to think about, but you don't want to jeopardize the health of your current collection.

[DrEwTiMe]

More then one snake per tank = BIG nO No

[daniel1983]

just have to say that i agree.....only one bp per enclosure.

Rubbermaids are cheap and take up little space. I would make a setup with some rubbermaids to limit space and keep the bps seperate. If you want any suggestions on how to set up some rubbermaids with what stuff you and your friend already have, I will be glad to help out. I love setting up enclosures....especially rubbermaids.

[DrEwTiMe]

Ya you can find the sterlite(sp?) rubber things in most big stores and they are really cheap. a 90 qt one would be a good size for up to a full grown BP i think.

[daniel1983]

yep...i had a 90 qt sterilite but now I use 41 qt rubbermaids (the exact same size as the 90qt but half the height...36x16x6)