Donated Ball

[Lucidht]

My friend just gave me her snake because she can't keep care of it anymore. I was just wondering, he's just about the same size of my current Ball (about 3 1/2 feet) just wondering if I put them into the same tank, they aren't gonna attack each other right? They are both males too. Just wanna make sure before I put them in with each other.

My current snake has never struck at another snake or person, but I'm not sure about this new guy so, am I taking a chance? or is there nothing to worry about?

[Argentra]

NEVER put two snakes in the same enclosure. Period. It doesn't matter if they're the same age, weight, length, sex, whatever... do not put two snakes in the same cage.

Also, you must quarantine any new snake away from others you already have for at least 3 months. Preferably in another room, or at least as far from your current snake as possible.

Rubbermaid and Sterilite tubs work fine as a second enclosure if you don't have another tank. Just DO NOT place the two snakes together.

[blackcrystal22]

I highly agree with Argentra. Also, two males WILL fight. It may not be bloody, but is stressful.

There is nothing good about having two snakes in one cage.

[Lucidht]

why's that? at pet stores they have like... 5 snakes in the same tank

[FatBoy]

never put two snakes in the same enclosure. Period. It doesn't matter if they're the same age, weight, length, sex, whatever... Do not put two snakes in the same cage.

Also, you must quarantine any new snake away from others you already have for at least 3 months. Preferably in another room, or at least as far from your current snake as possible.

Rubbermaid and sterilite tubs work fine as a second enclosure if you don't have another tank. Just do not place the two snakes together.

x2

[blackcrystal22]

why's that? at pet stores they have like... 5 snakes in the same tank

A petstore is a petstore.
Petstores, generally have almost all of their husbandry wrong in the first place. And it's not meant to be a permanent cage, just a temporary one to sell the animals.

There are a number of reasons why it's bad.

• First, they are not social animals by nature. Ball pythons are shy, and if you put two in the same enclosure they will create dominance, which could put one off feed. If you see one lying on the other, it's not cuddling, it's dominating.
• Second, any pathogen.. a Respritory Infection, IBD, parasites, any illness that one snake gets, the other automatically gets. 2x vet bills.
• Cannibilisim is a possiblity, and has happened before. It's really not worth the risk.
• Males will probably fight when breeding age, and they could fall into objects in the cage, because when they fight, they rear up and hit each other.
• If you have mistaken the sex, and one is female, she could breed too early, which could cause loads of issues with nutrition and impaction.
• It's better to feed in the enclosure in general, and that's risky with two snakes in the same enclosure.

:]

[OhBalls]

A petstore is a petstore.
Petstores, generally have almost all of their husbandry wrong in the first place. And it's not meant to be a permanent cage, just a temporary one to sell the animals.

There are a number of reasons why it's bad.

• First, they are not social animals by nature. Ball pythons are shy, and if you put two in the same enclosure they will create dominance, which could put one off feed. If you see one lying on the other, it's not cuddling, it's dominating.
• Second, any pathogen.. a Respritory Infection, IBD, parasites, any illness that one snake gets, the other automatically gets. 2x vet bills.
• Cannibilisim is a possiblity, and has happened before. It's really not worth the risk.
• Males will probably fight when breeding age, and they could fall into objects in the cage, because when they fight, they rear up and hit each other.
• If you have mistaken the sex, and one is female, she could breed too early, which could cause loads of issues with nutrition and impaction.
• It's better to feed in the enclosure in general, and that's risky with two snakes in the same enclosure.

:]

well said

[zoiexpieds]

why's that? at pet stores they have like... 5 snakes in the same tank

Also, a lot of times the ball pythons in the same enclosure at the pet store, even if all males, are still babies. Males will not fight each other until sexual maturity, surely the 3 1/2 foot python you just inerited is an adult and is guaranteed to fight with your current male.

And as previously said (quite wonderfully might I add) NEVER EVER house bps together, and all new snakes must be quarantined for some time before being in contact with other bps.

[RoyalGuardian]

why's that? at pet stores they have like... 5 snakes in the same tank

And you think that makes it right??? most of the things you see petstores do, you should NEVER do. Ball pythons should NEVER be housed together unless they are breeding and if then only for a short while. Petstores are about the last thing anyone should ever imitate. Petstores are HORRID! Do NOT put your snakes together especially because one is new. Quarantine your new snake as far away from your snake as possible. If you don't have the stuff to care for it ( im sorry) you never should have agreed to take it. I would say your going to have to go get a tub, water dish, UTH, digi thermometer with probe/Hygrometers, substrate, hides and stuff. I know it might be hard but if you can't care for it you shouldn't have it.

[Lucidht]

She gave me his tank, supplies and everything for free. I basically have 2 tanks right now almost identical with individual snakes. I just don't have the room for both tanks.