Keeping pythons together

**jeffa_8** · 30-Jun-12, 12:31 PM

What are the general rules for keeping pythons in the same enclosure for example: sex, python size, enclosure size, different types. If it helps the different types im interested in are darwin, bredli, coastal, and jungle. Just curious because i have a jungle in one of ben's enclosures. Pretty much the exact same as this and it seems like a lot of room for him (Male jungle) which is why i though i could put another of something in. I have an albino darwin female but i wasn't going to out her in because of the size difference in them and she is too small to go in there yet anyway.

Click image for larger version.

Name: photo.jpg
Views: 101
Size: 126.9 KB
ID: 257566

Thanks for the help guys.

**saximus** · 30-Jun-12, 01:04 PM

The "general rule" is don't do it.
If that answer doesn't satisfy you though what I've seen on here seems to be keep a male and female or two females together and be very careful at feeding time. Also make sure they have separate hides so they have their own space

**Renenet** · 30-Jun-12, 01:49 PM

Some will say "no way"; others will say it can be done using certain precautions.

I'm still making up my mind. If you do keep them together, feed the snakes in separate tubs and make sure they don't have any food scent on them before putting them back in the enclosure. (How many times do people get bitten because they forgot to wash their hands after handling rodents?) The snakes need to be similar sizes.

Regarding snakes of different species, my local zoo houses different kinds of snakes together. (Disclaimer: in most cases the snakes generally have a lot of space.) I'd also check the natural diet of any snakes you plan to put together. If any are reptile eaters, I'd be inclined to be more wary.

**notechistiger** · 30-Jun-12, 02:14 PM

Different species is a big no-no. Not only do they often require different husbandry, but you also risk creating hybrids. Whether you keep animals of the same species together is totally up to you. Just be aware that snakes can and do cannibalise. It seems that most people will recommend male/female (or female/female) as males can fight during the breeding months.

**Renenet** · 30-Jun-12, 02:37 PM

Originally Posted by notechistiger

Not only do they often require different husbandry, but you also risk creating hybrids.

That's a good point. You could prevent hybrids, but the husbandry is something to think about.

**Frozenmouse** · 30-Jun-12, 03:18 PM

With carpet pythons i would say a large enclosure + separate hides+ and basking areas and match the sizes of the snakes because one always seems to dominate the other and cause them stress and take over the good areas of the enclosure, also you should always remove your snakes for feeding anyway and have a feeding bin, if they are to be handled regularly. I have kept and bred snakes that have been housed together i have never had an issue. I have heard of hatchlings being housed together both going for the same pinkie and one half swallowing the other and both die. Womas, bhps i would say house them together at your own risk.

**jeffa_8** · 30-Jun-12, 03:53 PM

Ok thanks guys. I was thinking about having two jungles in there male and female. Its just that i have seen it done so much by pets shops with childreni i thought it may not be so difficult. If i didn't cool them would they still breed?
thanks

**inkaddict** · 30-Jun-12, 04:09 PM

Jeffa ... I had 2 female Jungles in the same enclosure at one stage ... one was 2 years old and the other was 8-9 months... there was no issues..... but it may have been due to the snakes temprement ... and I did have a pretty big enclosure .... the older one tended to sit lower in the branches... and the younger one always use to sit up close to the heat lamp ..... but again this might have just been pot luck .... there was never any issues not even with feeding them in the same enclosure ....
But at your own risk I guess !