Various BP Questions. :)

[zackw419]

yea two males during mating season in the same cage is kinda crazy. YouTube - Ball Python Combat

looks like they are wrestling, they don't seem to be trying to hurt another.

[joshn6805]

looks like they are wrestling, they don't seem to be trying to hurt another.

yea, just a serious game of tag.

[Kaorte]

Thanks!

Just wondering--how would that cause feeding problems?

Would a glass separator work for dividing the cages? The only way i could afford a new cage now if I sold the old one afterwards, so having 2 separate cages isn't really an option for me. :/

A glass separator could work, but I would try to find a way to make it opaque so they cannot see each other. It would also make the enclosure feel more secure for them.
If you are tight on money, then I would suggest a tub setup. You can setup each tub for about $30 minus a thermostat and proper thermometers, which are a must!

[Slim]

While it's hard to argue with 4 years of success, moving them to seperate enclosures is advisable. If nothing else, to prevent potential health problems from cross contamination if one gets sick.

Tubs are really easy to set up, and not very expensive.

[Flicker]

I know everyone is suggesting to separate them, and I'm considering it, but if I were to keep them together what would be some things I could do to help relive stress? (They're not showing any signs of stress yet, but I want to be sure.)

[Slim]

I know everyone is suggesting to separate them, and I'm considering it, but if I were to keep them together what would be some things I could do to help relive stress?

Sorry, but this is a very counterintuitive question. It's like asking, "My house is filling up with water, but I don't plan to leave, what can I do to keep from drowning"?

[Kaorte]

I know everyone is suggesting to separate them, and I'm considering it, but if I were to keep them together what would be some things I could do to help relive stress? (They're not showing any signs of stress yet, but I want to be sure.)

Nothing :/
Have you ever noticed them "cuddling" or being overly active?
-or-
Do they stay in their hides most of the time?


Really, I would just separate them, it is the best thing you can do for them right now. Check craigslist, you might be able to find some cheap (or free) tanks there, if you don't want to go the tub route (which is in my opinion, far superior).

[JamieLynn]

I didn't see anyone say this yet, but if they have been living together for 4 years you may want to get them resexed. At that age, depending on what they weigh they may be ready to breed already, and that they have not yet it may mean they where missexed, you may have 2 males, or 2 females. While it may be that they have not bred because of inproper temps/humidity, there could always be the question of sex, I was sold my first BP as a male, but after some resarch I found that he was a she.
And tanks are horrible to keep up humidity. I have been working on the tank my orrigional girl is in for the last year, she will be moving to a tub after I build a rack for the rest of my new babies.

Good luck with them, and welcome to BP.net, this place is great, very informative.

[nixer]

you guys also forgot about them eating each other
you say male and female well what about eggs or if the female becomes egg bound.

if you had a roomate would you want to have to sit in your friends feces

[CruelHerbie]

I had two of my ball pythons housed together for awhile early on, but have since separated them and I believe that they have both benefited. I find multiple enclosures easy to maintain and more appeasing to the eye. I too, recommend separating them and possibly having them re-sexed.

Also, would you please post a few pictures of your setup?

Thanks!