Help Me Out

[Inknsteel]

If you're completely set on keeping them both in one 50 gal, there's a simple solution... DIVIDE IT. Get a divider and split the 50 gal in half. Put your UTH in the middle of the tank so it's spanning a part of both sides. You'll have the best of both worlds, two snakes in one tank, with each having their own space and temp gradient...

[sheep-]

Read this site and then make your decision.

Also a 50 gallon is much too large for any sized ball python.

http://pinkladyconstrictors.com/?page_id=10

just courious (not trying to start a fight) how can a cage be too big because i keep my adult bp in a 50 gallon.

[mikeamy2007]

just courious (not trying to start a fight) how can a cage be too big because i keep my adult bp in a 50 gallon.

Bps tend to feel more secure in a close, secure environment. I had my 3 foot 800 gram adult in a 55 and he NEVER came out of his hides. I moved him into, either a 20 or a 29, im not sure. But ever since then, he is alot more active, and never refuses a meal. They LOVE being closed in tight . !!!

[JLC]

just courious (not trying to start a fight) how can a cage be too big because i keep my adult bp in a 50 gallon.

It's not a hard-and-fast rule for balls....but IF you have a snake that seems stressed out and/or isn't eating...considering the size of its enclosure as a source of its stress is a wise thing to do. Some bp's do fine in large enclosures. Some seem to have strong preferences for smaller confines.

[blackcrystal22]

just courious (not trying to start a fight) how can a cage be too big because i keep my adult bp in a 50 gallon.

Basically what they said.
Even though some BPs do better in a bigger environment, a 30 gallon breeder would be a good 'bigger' environment for a ball and a 20 gallon would fit any adult. 50-55 gallons to me seem stressful and too large to properly be able to regulate heat and humidity. Too much work too.
Sometimes, larger cages are ok when the cage is properly heated and humidity is correct and the cage is well packed with lots of foliage and is very cramped. :]

[wolfy-hound]

Most everyone on this site will agree that it's best to house your ball pythons seperately.
If your dad's friend who is a breeder is keeping his that way, then I'd suggest you ask him for advice on how he keeps his together. While you do that, ask him how often his snakes eat(not how often he tries to feed them, but how often they actually eat), how many regurges he experiances, what the weight gain is on the snakes kept together, and what he does when one gets a resp infection, or other medical issue.
If you have some reason for trying to keep two snakes together, then you can try to do that. But it's preferred by MOST people who keep/raise/breed ball pythons to keep them 1 to a enclosure, for many many good reasons. I haven't yet heard a GOOD reason for keeping more than one snake to a enclosure.
Just my own advice, keep them seperate, and preferably smaller enclosures for smaller ball pythons.