Multiple BP's

[gnome]

Ok I already hav eone BP and am looking into getting another. The one I have is a 5 yr old male in a 75 gallon aquarium and was wondering if it would be ok to put another BP in the same aquarium and what kind of precautions I should make if I was able to???

[Reptilian]

I'd say no don't do it. Some reasons why:

Cohabitation is the act of having one or more reptile live in an enclosure at once.

Reasons why not to cohabitate:

* Premature Pregnancy- Male and Female reptiles will breed even if the female is younger than the recommend breeding age. This means your female may be at greater risk for egg impaction or other complications

* Unwanted Pregnancy- As mentioned a male and female will breed, which can result in distress to the female, complications during pregnancy, and unwanted (by the owner) offspring

* Spread of Disease and Parasites- Mites (are just one of a few diseases and parasites that can be passed from reptile to reptile) can be passed onto other reptiles by simply jumping to a new host. They can also get onto human clothing and skin and be passed on that way. It is important if you come in contact with a reptile with mites to follow proper procedures to prevent your collection from being infested.

* Unnecessary Stress- Most reptiles don't live in a community type systems and are better off on their own, only coming together to breed. Having more than one reptile in an enclosure can cause stress for territory, food, and a mate.

* Cannibalism- After two tank mates have been fed, the scent of prey will still linger in the air for a period of time. One tank mate may attack the other thinking of it as food.

* Improper record keeping- It's hard to tell which tank mate may have shed, regurged, defecated, urinated if there is more than one reptile in an enclosure.

[lord jackel]

I agree 100% with everything Layna said...however, in a 75 gal tank you have enough floor space to split the tank in two. Put a solid divider up and keep one snake on each side (I would recommend painting the divider so the snakes cannot see each other). This would give you the benefit of both animals seeming to be together when they really aren't.

Hope this helps.

[Reptilian]

I agree 100% with everything Layna said...however, in a 75 gal tank you have enough floor space to split the tank in two. Put a solid divider up and keep one snake on each side (I would recommend painting the divider so the snakes cannot see each other). This would give you the benefit of both animals seeming to be together when they really aren't.

Hope this helps.

Great point! I didn't even think of that.

[gnome]

Ok, thanks for the advice guys. I just might split the tank up for that fi my wife won't let me set up another tank for her.

[drugaria]

I was also advised not to keep em together. Dominnance issues