We all know that this is a no-no. My question is why? Depending on the species, of course, there are places in the wild where you can lift a piece of plywood and find Garters, Black Rats, Corns, sometimes Rattlers hiding under the same board.

Case in point:




Now, the argument could come up "They aren't confined in a small aquarium". Good point, but they seem to not mind being a few inches apart from 3 to 4 other snakes.

Just wanted to get some conversation started when I thought about all the times I have personally seen several snakes under the same hide, or pics of the same. Rattlers and Garters seem the be the kings of "Communal Living".

The reason its a "no-no" in captivity is because of 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.

Another thing I want to mention is that snakes will eat other snakes, even if they are not typically cannibalistic. When this happens, especially if they are close in size, both snakes typically die. The one eaten dies for obvious reasons. The other dies typically after having regurgitated the prey that was much too long.

There are some pictures on the net showing examples of this. I wish I recalled where they were located. One shows a Boa having eaten a ball python. The other I recently saw was a cornsnake that ate another cornsnake of the same size.

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You're right...there are groups hanging together in shared space in the wild. And again - your right about snakes in confinement sometimes not minding company. Rich raises good points there though. Some people very successfully keep multiple snakes together. The biggest issue I hear is feeding time. Yes...they can all have they separate feed boxes, but can you be sure one is not still hungry - or still wound up from feeding - that the scent of food on one of the other snakes will not cause a strike once placed back in the same housing area? You can wipe the scent off the other snakes...but can you get it all?

I do know of one person who has had the same two ball pythons - male and a female - together for 16 yrs...both fed in-tank...and never an issue. This is rare and not recommended, but it is a scenario that has worked with these particular multiples living together in harmony. There are far many more stories where there have been serious injury sometimes leading to death to warrant this bad practice.

We can't control what happens in the wild. How many snakes really do get caught up in the moment and scent food on another snake returning to the den and it strikes? If a tree falls in the woods does it make a sound? We just don't happen to be there to witness these things in the wild. We CAN control those scenarios in captivity.

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Veronica
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I have never, nor will ever, keep snakes together. I just ran across this pic and it got me thinking about all the snakes I have found together over the years while out field herping.

I am in no way "Pro Co-Habitating". I do know a man who kept 3 Corns and a Black Rat together in a 75 Gallon set up with no problem for years. Same guy kept 2 Northern Pines together with no problems.

Rich, I totally agree with what you said - they are free to leave if they want. What I find fascinating is the fact that different species choose to find shelter under the same piece of tin all over the U.S.


Again, just throwing this out for discussion.

They shared the same hiding space because that is what they needed,... shelter.
The fact that it was the right temperature and/or humidity level is what drew them together.

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Merlin,
What's Life Without A Little Magic!

Your wish is my command... (DUW)

BP x BP



Boa x BP



Corn x corn

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Regards,
Joao

It's a shame they killed the snake to see the snake inside. I would have been happy with x-rays...

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Veronica
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Exotic Animal Rescue of Henry Co.
~~Rescue - Rehab - Rehome~~

You probably see pet stores keeping multiple babys or juvies together for lack of space. My main fear is disease and mites. If one has mites or a contagion, They all will have it.

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Git'er Done!

I believe I read the snake died after eating the cage mate (wasn´t able to regurgitate). Then, they cut her.

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Regards,
Joao

Thanks for clearing that up. I tried to read what little print was there and caught a little of the description. Is it just me - or does the boa vs BP look like a staged "performance"? This looks like they were placed together intentionally to see which one would win. It's a clear tote...nothing in it but two snakes who are not normally known for cannibalism. Were they taken to their hunger point and placed together?

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Veronica
,,
/_^.)///////////,,,,,
...\\\_#_#_#_//_#_#_#_#_#_£_£_&_&_
..._//......_\\
Exotic Animal Rescue of Henry Co.
~~Rescue - Rehab - Rehome~~