Pairs in same housing??

[lostwithin]

Hi , I was just wondering, I'm new too breeding reptiles of my own, in this case I'm talking about my ball, and boa, and was wondering if breeding pairs must be housed separately, from what I've seen everybody seems too introduce one into the others cage, but if you had a cage of sufficient size too house a pair, will the pair breed ??

( might sound dumb but have heard people say some species will only breed if there housed separately,)

let me know what you think,
thanks,
Devon

[mykee]

You should house ANY snakes seperately until you are ready to breed them. Also, by the way you're message was worded, I'm hoping you aren't considering housing a ball and a boa together.

[lostwithin]

No no, I have 2 very large seprate cages, one currently is housing a large female ball, the other is home too a large male boa, i plan on buying both a nice male ball, and a nice female boa, too start up a small breeding project, and was wondering if caging them with there mates would affect breeding,
thanks,
Devon

[C.m.pyrrhus]

I, and certainly many many others, keep pairs of boas together without ever having problems. As for starters, it is a good idea to keep animals seperate like this to keep husbandry as simple and easy as possable without problems. Keeping apart the balls and boas certainly is needed.

Many friends of mine breed Boa constrictors without ever seperating them, except for feeding purposes. Personally have never heard of any problems due to this either. It would be easier on your part to keep them seperate until you know more about your snakes and getting down the husbandry for each as well. Also, a good idea to keep the snakes seperate as to quarantine the new arrivals for a period of time.

As an owner it is all up to you.

[mykee]

Imagine paired balls as being an old married couple. If they live together all year long, the chances of them being interested in each other come breeding season is moderate. However, if you only introduce them at breeding time, your chances of frequent copulation is increased.