Can i put 2 male bps in the same tank without problems?

[tigerlily]

I have my 2 BP's together in a 50 gallon tank. The larger (newest of them) seems to have a nasty attitude - out of character for this species of snake from what i've read - he seems to be much calmer with the smaller snake in with him. They appear to me (and that's not saying much) to be very happy. They share the same cave almost all the time even though there are 2 caves in the tank. They seem to really follow each other around. I see no signs that either of them is being dominated..

This is EXACTLY a few of the signs of domination.

wow - comparing people to dull crayons now. How polite. As a college graduate, I was always under the impression that the best way to solve a problem is to discuss it. Sometimes (not always but more than never), while discussing/debating/arguing (whatever u wanna call it), something new can be learned.

We are dealing with snakes here. Of course anything is possible ... just like with everything else in life. Do snakes occasionally hurt or kill each other? Yes. Do people occasionally hurt or kill each other? ummm ... yes. Does that mean we shouldn't live together?

Just because something is possible doesn't make it the rule.

I agree that it's better to discuss this as adults, rather than resort to name calling. You also can't compare humans and snakes, apples and oranges. Also, just because something is possible doesn't make it the best.

Well, what i'd like to know is how many of you who so strongly disagree with housing together are actually vets or herpologists. Anyone?

I actually checked with my vet (who sees my snakes on a regular basis) about housing them together ... The response I got was that if they both got through the quarantine period with a clean bill of health he saw nothing wrong with it. His only recommendation regarding the subject was that I should not feed them together in the same tank because of the possibility of them both simultaneously strike at their food and pose a potential problem.

I think I'm going to take the advise on this subject from someone who sees snakes and other reptiles on regular basis. Oh, yeah, did i mention that my vet has 2 BP housed together? He did strongly suggest that I not house more than 2 though. He also recommended that I take them out of their tank individually for brief periods (30 min to an hour) on a daily basis to allow them a seperation to help prevent the potential for possible incident. But like i said before, every creature (snake, lizard, bird, dog, PEOPLE, etc, has the potential to hurt another of it's species. It is the exception - not the rule. I could drown when I go swimming .... just because of the rare possibility of that happening, am I not going to go?

It really bothers me, when people start assuming a degree means intelligence. I have a bachelor's degree in Biological Sciences with an emphasis in Zoology, from the University of Maryland. I also have 2 years experience with rehabalitating wildlife (from Robin's to squirrels to hawks and beavers. I also have worked 1.5 years in an Entomology lab and 2 years as a vet technician. But for all that, I still consider myself a complete Newbie (I've only had bps for just under 3 years), and am eager to learn as much as I can. When the top people in the field house their animals individually, when they COULD house together easier just sends a very loud message to me. I just believe that housing together is not the best I can provide for my animals.