multiple snakes in same tank

[ineedmore]

I have had my bp for a little over 2 years and was wanting to get another. Is it ok to put another in the same tank(55gal)? And also what is so bad about sand, just asking because I have a new beardie and I think it would be easier to use the calci-sand for both.

[Nate]

55gal is pretty big. I would not house them together, however, you can split the tank in half and keep each one on each side. That does require additional heading tho.

[dr del]

Hi,

It is far better to keep one animal per enclosure. There are many reasons for this and a quick look about the site should find them for you - if you can't find any just ask for them to be repeated here.

I would also advise against the sand for a couple of reasons - cleanliness, abbrasiveness on the scales ( they get all scuffed looking I think) and the possibility of impaction if a large amount of it gets swallowed during feeding.

Of all those I would say the cleanliness would be the main one for me - all the liquid p just drains to the bottom of the tank and sits there.


dr del

[Stewart_Reptiles]

If you want another snake than you will need to get another enclosure, BP should not be house together.

There is absolutely no benefit in housing multiple snakes together however it can create problems such as stress, going of feed, spreading of diseases and/or parasites, premature breeding, you are also at risk for injuries, and even cannibalism.

Also any new animal MUST be quarantined for at least 60 days (Different enclosure, different room)

Proper substrate should be used for BP and sand is not one of them. You can use aspen, cypress mulch, newspaper, repti-bark etc.

[Brimstone111888]

Sand is very bad as a substrate for snakes. Sand gets in their heat pits and mouths.

[Beardedragon]

Also, calcium sand is just about the worst thing you can put down for your beardie( next to crushed walnut shells) id suggest changing him to paper towels/ newspaper/ tile pronto!

[KJLegend]

I've used calci sand for my adult beardie for a couple years so far with no problems at all. Once they are adults they should be a lot less "clumsy" compared to when they are babies. The only thing you have to worry about is them accidentally eating sand with the crickets but again they arent as clumsy as adults. There is a risk of being impacted if they consume the sand but like I said I have used it for a few years now and its all good. It is a lot easier to clean etc... and looks nicer for a display tank setup vs. ugly newspaper. I'm no expert so use it at your own pets risk and be ready to shell out vet bills if he/she becomes impacted-->which can lead to death BTW!

As for keeping two snakes in one enclosure, I have heard many opinions back and forth about this topic. I just recently bought my first ball and I asked the breeder what he thought about the topic. He said as long as you keep only ONE male you should be perfectly fine as long as they have room, separate hides and fed separately. Again I'm new to balls but he's a breeder and I've seen people who know quite a bit that do the same.

People who say there is absolutely no benefit to keeping more than one snake per enclosure, well there are benefits like less space taken up in your house, less supplies like bulbs, heat pads, water dish, bedding, temp guages, etc... This to me would be a plus if it was actually healthy for the snakes. If it is unhealthy for them and you actually have proof of this or have personally experienced negative results I would be glad to hear the stories you have.

[juddb]

I'm no expert so use it at your own pets risk and be ready to shell out vet bills if he/she becomes impacted-->which can lead to death BTW!

Why not avoid that and go with a safe substrate???

[rabernet]

I really have a hard time understanding why people post questions, don't like the answers and say they're going to do it anyway.

People who say there is absolutely no benefit to keeping more than one snake per enclosure, well there are benefits like less space taken up in your house, less supplies like bulbs, heat pads, water dish, bedding, temp guages, etc... This to me would be a plus if it was actually healthy for the snakes. If it is unhealthy for them and you actually have proof of this or have personally experienced negative results I would be glad to hear the stories you have.

It's not about a benefit to YOU - it's about a benefit to the snakes - the snakes get NO benefit from it.

For your reading pleasure:
http://www.ball-pythons.net/forums/s...ad.php?t=23890

[Crazydude]

I cant comment on housing snakes together from personal experience, But with any reptile, The only benifit is saving space and money, which in that case, I would not say the person should own the animal if they want to take shortcuts. Save space by keeping tubs stacked, or a rack, not endangering or stressing the animal.

But with sand, Heres the deal why Sand, but calci-sand more specifically is bad for all reptiles. Anyone with it, take a little bit, ad a drop or two of water. And tell me what you get. For those that wont do this or dont have calci-sand, It turns to a rock, Its called Cal-crete, and is used in rural africa and other areas as roads, So you are in essense putting cement in the animals body if any is consumed. You wouldnt eat cement, Would you make your pet? Also the calcium draws them to it. It could stick to mice, (and insects for beardie matters), and would probably be messy. A wet/moist snake (comming out of a moist hide, the vent after defication) this could get sand stuck easy.

Anyway, Sand has no place for a ball python IN MY OPINION, along with housing together for non breeding/ short term purposes. But i would not use sand, and also take out the calci-sand in your dragons enclosure, At least replace with childrens playsand which does not clump into cement. \

Ben