Tank Mate Question?

[Remedy99]

So now with my Red Tail returned home where he belongs, I have been looking for some help with a question. At a Reptile Expo coming up where I live, They sell Albino Red Tails.. now I got my red tail from a NJ Pets 5 years ago and all pet stores assume red tails are columbian but i Honeslty am not sure. Now i want to buy an albino red tail last time I went all i saw were babies but im gonna be looking for a larger one. If the only choice I have are babies..is it possible to have them both in the same tank? The tank itself is 75 gallons and my current red tail is about 3 1/2-4 feet long. Would housing them together be possible? I had a previous red tail who just tied of age and whenever they were in the same room they never bothered eachother so just looking for some advice if anyone can help. thank you very much!

[emseeKAY]

not too sure about red tails, however it is usually a general rule of thumb not to combine 2 or more snakes in one enclosure ( there are communal species such as garters). Some people claim you can however most of these people have had both snakes at young ages, i think feebo has a communal pair of western hoggies. another thing is that red tails get pretty big, and in the event that two fight, would you be willing to try and seperate them? where would you put one of them once separated? 75 gallons seems a little small for 2 full grown RTB's to me... there are many variables and people on either side of the fence but to be quite honest it is usually just better, safer, and less stressful to keep each snake individually unless breeding them. especially if you didn't purchase them together. if space is an issue you could always look into rack systems or building one yourself. hope this helps.

[infernalis]

Not recommended that you put two in the same tank. except for short periods when breeding them.

[Remedy99]

I have a 100 gallon sitting in my garage for when one of them is too big so seperating them due to length wouldnt be a problem for me...the one red tail who just returned is really cool like hes like a puppy so i dont really think hed react bad I have 2 tanks so I guess ill just have em out in the same room and see how they react if bad news then seperate tanks lol

[emseeKAY]

to be honest i would seperate them from the start, its a lot less stressful, remember these animals are solitary by nature

[infernalis]

Agreed, introducing a second boa will be stressful right from the word go.

[Lankyrob]

Also dont forget to quarantine the new snake before any introductions taht may be made.

not gonna comment on the should you shouldn't you debate - we have two male corns homed together but they have been together since they were hatchlings.

[citysnakes]

regardless of whether an animal is naturally social or not, captive reptiles will always do better when housed individually. natural social interactions will not occur as they do in the wild because a natural environment cannot be replicated in captivity. the stress of these impared interactions over time will eventually cause illness. this is one of many reasons why its best to take proper care of your investment.

[Will0W783]

NEVER house two snakes together, except for breeding season. It's just too stressful on them and it's never a good idea. If the tank is too big for one of them now, put a removable divider in the middle and house one boa on each side.

[Remedy99]

ok just looking for some input on it. thanks everyone