55 Gallon Ball Python Vivarium

[Durtis]

i have corban(ball python) and lenox(redtail boa) in the same 55 gallon long tank they get along fine and ive had no trouble with them for the 3 years theyve been together

[PDXErik]

Originally Posted by Durtis

i have corban(ball python) and lenox(redtail boa) in the same 55 gallon long tank they get along fine and ive had no trouble with them for the 3 years theyve been together

Which one pooped last? If something happens to one, what happens to the other? Going in is just (or more) as important as going out.

I love the idea that they can coexist, but there are lots of health issues that come up. Reptiles, particularly snakes, can have horrible diseases and not show any signs (you'd see them in 3 years, I bet, though) of having any problems.

You've had an existing situation that you, and they, are comfortable with. I post this mostly for noobs that might think that it is acceptable to house even same species together.

It is NEVER a good idea. EVER.

[SerpentLust]

Originally Posted by Durtis

i have corban(ball python) and lenox(redtail boa) in the same 55 gallon long tank they get along fine and ive had no trouble with them for the 3 years theyve been together

Originally Posted by Durtis

there is no luck about it
have you ever been to a zoo with reptiles
for instance.. how many rat snakes or corn snakes do you see in the enclosure at a zoo?

i also have 3 corns and a rat snake sharing the same enclosure
Who wants to crisis me for that also?
its up to the owner of the snakes
hundreds of thousands of people keep their snakes in the same tank and if you care for the snake right and feed it often nothing should happen to any of the snakes and also johnrandale there is nothing cheap about it. i take very good care of my animals and even thought im only 16 and im not a breeder...

WOW...there is NO logical reason to keep those snakes together other than just being plain frugal. It really irks me when people keep more animals than they can properly house and accomodate. As pet keepers it is our responsibility to provide them with the best care we can, not what you're LUCKY to have gotten away with thus far.

The size difference alone between the BP and BCI can result in stress that was EASILY avoided for the smaller snake.

As was already mentioned, can you tell me which snakes feces is which? If one gets ill are you going to dish out the cash to now bring them BOTH to the vet?

In rare cases, cannibalism has also occurred, more frequently with colubrids, but boids have done this also. When this happens, especially if they are close in size, both snakes typically die. There are some pictures on the net showing examples of this. I've actually seen one that shows a boa having eaten a ball python.

And LUCK has EVERYTHING to do with it. You're lucky that they haven't gotten sick, that one (probably the BP) hasn't gotten overly stressed and just starved itself, and you REALLY think it's just a matter of feeding frequency and "caring for the snake right"? If you were caring for the snake right you would set them all up in their own homes, which they deserve. Not cramming them into the same enclosures like a common animal hoarder and claiming that they're fine.

Now the argument can be made that in the wild, there are places where you can find Garters, Black Rats, Corns, all using the same hide, but the counter argument to this is the escape factor...If the snakes do not wish to be together, they can move and easily escape the other snake. In captivity, this isn't the case. They are confined to whatever space they have available.

I could go on and on, but I have a feeling that all these words will be wasted on you. I do hope, however, that newbies looking for advice on housing will benefit from the information provided.