Two ball pythons in same tank, how should I feed them ?

[Royal_Rodents]

With a beautiful tank like that I'm not sure what I would do in your position... whether I would try and divide it or just scrap it and start over.

Actually what I would do is buy a red tail boa, put it inside that gorgeous tank, and then put my balls into rubber tubs in a dark spot with low human traffic. Boas make really nice display snakes whereas ball pythons are really shy and prefer to be secluded and alone.

i second that solution actually i'm thinkin of pickin up a rtb myself.

[starmom]

x3

[FatBoy]

WOW, that is a nice tank. Before I keep any snake in it I would get the heat lamps out of the tank itself. Snakes will try and get warm by touching the lamps and not realize they are getting burned. It does look like the lamps are in the tank, correct me if I'm wrong. With any snake I would invest in a nice UTH. The surface temps are what is important. I do not particularly like them myself but that tank would be stunning with a green tree python in it!!!!!

[Mindibun]

The tank does look nice, but that's no excuse to let each snake suffer.

Ball pythons are fairly laid back snakes. They don't "fight" they way we think of it. When you see your snakes laying together, one is usually on top of the other. It looks like cuddling, but the one on top is asserting dominance. It's only a matter of time before the smaller one starts getting pushed around more and more.

When they are together you can't tell
1- Whose poop you've just found
2- Which animal is eating and which one is getting nothing
3- Whose shed you've just found

Also, if one gets sick they will both get sick.

It is a LOT of stress for both animals. Ball pythons are NOT social, and they live singly (alone and by themselves) in the wild. They also live in tiny little rodent holes in the ground - that is why they will always choose the smallest place to hide in. They like things confined and dark. That is what's natural to them. In addition, they do not look to the sun for heat (which your over-head heating lamps are simulating). They get their heat from the ground, and having heat on their bellies helps them to digest their food better. This is why it is recommended to purchase a heater for UNDER the tank. Another problem with the lamps is that they are notorious for drying up the air in the tank. Ball pythons need at least 50% humidity at all times. Heat lamps make this very difficult to achieve.

I completely understand your desire to display your snakes, and your reluctance to give up the large tank. But what the others have said is true: ball pythons are NOT display snakes. They are secretive and shy.

You would do much better for yourself to take both snakes out of that tank and put them each into a ten gallon tank, or BETTER YET - move each one into a plastic, under-the-bed sweater box. You can find all the details on this stuff here:
http://ball-pythons.net/modules.php?...warticle&id=59

That's our care sheet. It will tell you most everything you need to know in order to care for ball pythons.

Please don't listen to an under-educated pet store employee. His job is to sell you as much stuff as possible and make the most money he can. We are not here to sell you anything - we are genuinely interested in the well-being of your snakes.

Think about it.

If you have anymore questions you can PM (private message) me if you'd like.

[DamienF]

Thanks for those precious informations, I'm new to reptiles so don't really know how to deal with them yet. Those advices are very helpful for me, thanks.

Maybe I will give one to my brother, who always wanted to have a python, and keep the other one for me. Do you think it's ok if I keep the big tank with small hides, lot of things to fill the tank, and UTH for one snake ? Or should I imperatively take a small tank ?
Because (thanks to the pet guy) it's quite a lot of money if I have to buy all that stuff again (smaller tank, smaller water "pool", smaller tree, smaller everything) to fit in a small tank.

I'm quite confused actually, because last night I was watching them move, and they were exploring, climbing everywhere in the enclosure and it didn't look like the extra space was bothering them..

Again I'm new to snakes, please forgive me if my judgment is wrong.

Thanks again !

[Rapture]

Firstly I'd like to say that that tank is really nice and looks awesome as far as decorations...

But yeah give one snake to your brother... you'll most likely have less problems with each snake being healthy and feeding if they are alone.

[Mike Cavanaugh]

what sexes are the snakes?

[Abby_The_Python]

Fabulous tank indeed...two 30 gal tanks just like that would be perfect.

Wish my pet store had nice tanks like that.

[DamienF]

I don't know the sexes of the pythons yet, I have to get them probed.

Do you guys think that this tank is too big for only one of them ? Maybe if I fill it with some more trees, plants and hides he'll feel more secure ?

[DamienF]

Problem solved, my brother is taking on of them in a smaller tank he'll buy soon.

Thanks again for all your advices, I'll keep you up to date with further evolutions !

Great forum by the way