2 Snakes living together...

aaron_cg · 09-05-12, 06:51 AM

Well, i have done some research online, and everyone seems to say the same thing, so I will ask the forum. Just yesterday I picked up my first 2 snakes. A red tail, and ball python. Anyways, the guy has had them for about 6 months, both amazingly well tamed, in fact did not realize until this morning, but the red tail was shedding yesterday, and both my girlfriend and myself where handling them when we went to check them out (found the snake skin this morning). The guy also said when he would let the snakes crawl around, they would "play" with his wife's cat.

Anyways. They have lived in the same tank, ever since he got them both, roughly 6 months ago. They are about the same length, all though the ball is noticeably bigger round than the red tail. My question is, is it ok for them to live together, and if so, what signs do I need to watch out for to tell if I need to separate them? My main concern is we just moved them to our place, less than 24 hours ago, and they have lived together so long and been perfectly fine with each other, I don't know if moving one out, will stress either of them.

Slcburm · 09-05-12, 08:21 AM

This is discussed on a daily basis and I for one would not do this. Several reasons for this are causing stress to the snake (though Im not sure why), you CANNOT feed them in the same cage so you will stress them moving back to the cage after feeding, if they are still in feed mode and smell rats on one another they could attack. If one gets sick, mites etc then you have the chance of both of them getting sick and dying.

It just isnt worth it. Do yourself a favor and buy an extra setup for one of them and let them have their own homes

Oh and when the red tail is 7-8ft lets see how the little kitty does then!!

StudentoReptile · 09-05-12, 08:25 AM

^^^^ditto^^^^

Case in point...

shaunyboy · 09-05-12, 08:28 AM

i would NOT keep 2 different species in the same tank

i keep SAME sized females,SAME sized male and females,in the same tank...

but they are ALL types of carpet python

re your snakes
imo moving them into a tank of their own won't stress them out,it's NOT like they have any bond/affection for each other

re cats
imo it is very wrong to allow cats and snakes to mix with each other,it's a death waiting to happen

the above is just my opinion mate

cheers shaun

SpOoKy · 09-05-12, 08:46 AM

+100 on everything Shaun stated.

DeesBalls · 09-05-12, 09:14 AM

lets not forget that cats are some of snakes natural predators as well... cats, meercats, mongoose... ect.. also agree with what Shaun said, never house 2 different species together.

mykee · 09-05-12, 09:15 AM

Short answer (only because I'm getting sick and tired of answering this question) is NO, they cannot live together. Seperate them immediately.

aaron_cg · 09-05-12, 10:22 AM

Ok thanks. I will move them separate of each other ASAP, like as soon as I get back from the pet store... Im sorry if you guys got pissed at me, but thats the way it was with this guy, not with me. I have had the snakes less than 24 hours, but will separate them withen a few hours

aaron_cg · 09-05-12, 10:23 AM

Ohh and as far as the playing with cats and stuff, im not sure why the guy would let them,but I have no other animals and have no plans to let them near any other animals, other than rats/mice for feeding

shaunyboy · 09-05-12, 10:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by aaron_cg

Ok thanks. I will move them separate of each other ASAP, like as soon as I get back from the pet store... Im sorry if you guys got pissed at me, but thats the way it was with this guy, not with me. I have had the snakes less than 24 hours, but will separate them withen a few hours

please don't take the posts the wrong way mate

imo NO one was pissed at you,merely concerned for your snakes

once you've moved them into different tanks,just let them settle in and offer food in 7 days time

cheers shaun

aaron_cg · 09-05-12, 11:01 AM

Ok thanks... wasn't to worried about someone being pissed, more of just don't want to have a bad rep

mykee · 09-05-12, 11:44 AM

What Shaun said. Your taking our advice speaks volumes about you.
Good on you and good luck Sir.

shaunyboy · 09-05-12, 11:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mykee

What Shaun said. Your taking our advice speaks volumes about you.
Good on you and good luck Sir.

^^^^^
to the OP,take the above personally mate

our Mykee does NOT often give compliments

imo in this case Mykee is justified in doing so,its good to see you are acting so quickly on given advice

all the best shaun