Co-exsist?

xPython Loverx · 02-04-09, 05:05 PM

I have a four year old Ball Python (Captain) and I just bought a young Ball Python (Royal). I was wondering if they could be together without fighting? Captain is about four times as big and I was wondering if he would attack Royal? He is a very gentle snake that lets everyone handle him and has never bit anyone?

-All advice is greatly appreciated.
Thanks,
Rich

**Aaron_S** · 02-05-09, 02:55 AM

A snake will "interact" with people differently than any other animal. Another snake with your already large ball python will stress both of them out. Make them compete for the best hiding places/heating areas. Also I'd be worried the little one would just get crushed for no real reason. I doubt the little one would even eat in a set up like that.

mykee · 02-05-09, 11:20 AM

What Aaron said; two snakes, two enclosures.

Kmef07 · 02-05-09, 03:02 PM

someone post the pic of the snakes that were housed together and then one day there was only one snake with a weird lump in it's belly. that should answer the question. it was on another thread

Chu'Wuti · 02-05-09, 10:17 PM

Interesting how the same issues come up time & time again . . .

Rich, even if the bigger snake doesn't eat the smaller snake, it will definitely stress out the smaller snake. Stress can cause a BP to stop eating and/or its health to deteriorate.

**Aaron_S** · 02-06-09, 03:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chu'Wuti

Interesting how the same issues come up time & time again . . .

Rich, even if the bigger snake doesn't eat the smaller snake, it will definitely stress out the smaller snake. Stress can cause a BP to stop eating and/or its health to deteriorate.

Sometimes, I think looking at a ball python the wrong way will make it stop eating

xPython Loverx · 02-06-09, 06:11 PM

Well the snakes wont be living together. They both have their own enclosures but can they just be near eachother when i take them out of their cages?

GoodSmeagol · 02-06-09, 07:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by xPython Loverx

Well the snakes wont be living together. They both have their own enclosures but can they just be near eachother when i take them out of their cages?

I have 3 pythons, 3 cages.
I take all 3 out at the same time periododicaly as I enjoy having pictures of all 3 at the same time. I limit this time together to about 5-10 minutes.

I have never really been told this is acceptable.
However, many many breeders do take pictures of a large group of snakes. So I take what ever chance there is.

My snakes eat once a week if not every 5 days.
I know they are not starving, if they miss a feed, I will not put a hungry snake with the others.

my 2 cents