Housing together

[fogertyfan]

I know there are different opinions, but I have my 25 inch ball right now. She is very tame, loves handled and eats within seconds of sensing the mouse. My question is I am getting a rescue ball. He is about 4 years old and has been nursed back to health for about a year by a herp friend of mine. I am getting the snake and was wonderin if i could house together...if not, it isnt a big deal, just wanted to know if they wnated friends....thx for any help.

[mykee]

No. Bad idea, for so many reasons. Just don't do it.

[Brookssayz]

i wouldnt right away i would keep the seperate just incase the new snake ur bringing in has mites or any other health isues after 2 or 3 months i would have them sexed then maybe u can try keeping them together 2 females will get along but 2 males wont and female male of course will

[Edmond Y]

Most of the snake are secretive animals. they like to be alone except breeding season, in the wild, even after breeding, they will separate as soon as the job done.
Edmond

[fogertyfan]

The snake i am getting is a possible het albino...so when can i breed him with my girl...she is 25 inches or so. About 9 months old. I know i dont want to too soon but when can I?

[mykee]

2 female ball pythons WILL NOT "get along". Two males will not "get along". No two ball pythons should be kept together EVER, unless you're breeding.

Brooks; read a book, do a search, learn and get your information right before passing on crap info to unsuspecting people.

The general rule of thumb when breeding ball pythons, is that males are good to go when they're in and around 800 grams and producing sperm plugs. Females can be bred over 1500g BUT ONLY if they have enough fat reserves.

[deborahbroadus]

He probably did read a few books and did a bit of research...the problem is that there is a dearth of information out there and a lot of it is contradictory! :medcoolgu

For example: Did you know that "The Ball Python Manual" gives directions for housing two snakes together? :firestart

It also contains information that says swimming is good for snakes for exercise, and that if one doesn't have a POOL:jawdrop: , one can use a tub or container with water.

It's not always that people don't read and research before making a purchase..it's the dearth of information. :hammer:

[monty bl python]

deborahbroadus is right i have seen many care sheets that suggest to let you snake swim. and also have seen them say that two males were the only ones that couldn t be housed togather

im not saying that ether one is right but that is what i have read personaly i dont put them togather

[taz19772005]

hey mykee how do you know if the male python is producing spem plugs?

[pitviper10]

is letting your ball python take a swim a bad idea?? i dont have a ball, but when i was swiming yesterday i was wonderin that?

[mykee]

Taz, the procedure for popping a male for sperm plugs is identical for popping a young male to determine sex. REALLY hard to explain online, but can be shown in person . If you know someone who can show you how to pop, you're rockin'.

[taz19772005]

hey mykee ok i know how to determine the sex thanks

[Kathy Shaw]

It is a very bad idea to let your bp swim. They are not good swimmers and have small air ways so can choke easy.
I killed and adult bp by listening to all the "experts" and reading the books that said to let them swim to get bad shed off and to build muscle tone.... They neglected to say that they can drown in a second.
She freaked in the water and thrashed making a wave that hit her in the face. I was standing right there next to her and immediatly grabbed her out of the water but it was to late. She was dead... I even tried cpr.
So don't put too much faith in books or the advice you get online. If it really feels like a bad idea it probably is.

As far as bps living together it depends on the bps. In general they should all be housed seperate. And must be fed seperate. However I have seen bps with roommates both male and female and mixed. I have known some that will not eat if they lived alone. This is a rare case and should be housed individually if at all possible in most cases.

[Skeet]

Originally Posted by Kathy Shaw

It is a very bad idea to let your bp swim. They are not good swimmers and have small air ways so can choke easy.
I killed and adult bp by listening to all the "experts" and reading the books that said to let them swim to get bad shed off and to build muscle tone.... They neglected to say that they can drown in a second.

I read the same thing and tried it, deffinatly helped her shed. But I also used only maybe a few centemeters of water on the bottom, just so that she has some water underneight her, but she's not floating. I did this b/c the first time I gave her maybe an inch of water and she got spooked and pulled her head underwater which freaked me out. anyways, sorry to hear about that loss.

[mykee]

EVERY single one of my bp's have been in a tub, or large rubbermaid for one reason or another and all of them without exception can swim VERY well.