My ball python wants a friend.?

Question

my ball python is 6 months old in a 20 gallon tank, would it be alright to put another ball in there? Shes healthy also.

Gimme lots of info.

This is cambria by the way iherp.com/theegal

Answer 1

No! Ball pythons, like all snakes don't do well together! Snakes do not want friends. There are allot of risks with housing together, like cannibalism, greater risk of disease, mites, ect..Some people think its okay to house them together, its not. It causes allot of stress on them as well. People think they are "cuddling" when they see them both in one big ball, but what they are actually doing is fighting for dominance for the best spot. All of the big breeders like Bob Clark, Ralph Davis, and BHB, all house separate.

1 snake = 1 enclosure

2 snakes=2 enclosures

Answer 2

I just read your other responses before addressing this issue for you.  Since I have PERSONALLY removed the head of one ball pyton from another stressed ball python's mouth - I beg to differ on the "they will not eat each other" comment!!!

I speak from experience.  A friend of mine, against my advice kept two balls together.  He complicated that already bad situation by adding a third (since he was sure they were all getting along so well, and snakes don't EAT each other)...

Long story short - If I hadn't been standing right there, he would had only ONE very fat ball by day's end!  HE thought the behavior was mating behavior, and I assured him it was not.  Until the resident ball seized and began swallowing the other ball - he STILL didn't believe (and it went after the ball the same size it was, not the smaller of the 3).

He's a believer now!

So, no, snakes are solitary creatures, meeting up only to eat each other, or for breeding purposes.  Keeping two snakes together can cause stress.  The stressed animal has no recourse for resolving the issue than to EAT the cause of the crowding/stress.  This happens more often than most people would believe.

The only reason to put two snakes together is for a brief and monitored short period of time for mating purposes.  Immediately separate them once mating is complete.

Google your pets; consult your reptile vet for advice on conflicting information dilemmas, and do what is best for them.

I hope this has been helpful.

Answer 3

yes it would be fine but they will not breed after they are in a tank with each other to long but i don't know if you were not that but ya they should be fine they will not eat each other but you will need a Little bigger tank son

Answer 4

yes

Answer 5

Your ball python does not want a friend. Snakes are solitary.