What should I do-one BP missing, the other is wheezing

[NightLad]

I sincerely hope you find him safe and sound soon.

However, I also want to comment that BPs, while not normally cannibalistic, do have the potential to become so. Not under normal circumstances, but given the right conditions, it can happen. Housing one large and one small BP together, in close quarters, is not the best housing arraignment. As you mentioned, and as your son apparently knew, it can lead to... unpleasant circumstances.

I certainly don't want to worry you, but I did want to make that point clear for whomever else might read this and get the impression that it never happens.

There are other reasons why the majority of people would advise against housing 2 BPs together. Some of those reasons include;

- Shared illness'
- Difficulty getting a fecal sample for the vet (not knowing whose is whose)
- Undue stress, as they are not 'social' critters
- Stress caused by competing for the favored hiding space, heat source, food - if you feed them in the enclosure
- Lack of appetite and unpredictable behavior depending on stress levels
- Dominance behavior that can lead to issues with the dominated snake
- The risk of cannibalism

I'm sure there are more, but those are some off the top of my head.

I would have suggested providing a hide with a heat source on ground level to lure him, but you beat me to it. Great minds eh? Make sure it is in a low-traffic area. You can also try putting a small bowl of water beside the hide. One of my friends lost his BP a while ago, and he found it licking the condensation from the toilet a couple days later.

I know that terrariums are not cheap, but lots of people use rubbermaid tubs for their BPs, and works great too. (Especially if you have trouble maintaining proper humidity levels, in the 50-60% range, with 60-70% during shedding) Just something to consider when you find him.

Good luck! Please keep us informed.

Oh, and as for knowing if your big BP ate him... due to the body shape, it will most likely be tough to tell. If the snake fully digests him, than the feces won't [visually] show any real sign to go by. I would suggest that if you really want to be sure, get an x-ray when/if you go to the vet. Just make sure you do it soon. BPs can digest the majority of their meal within 48 hours.