Hey guys! I’m planning on opening a zoo in the future but I wanted some opinions
So it’s primarily a snake zoo, at least to start. I’ve seen zoos have pairs of snakes together (male and female), but I was curious if it’s okay to have a pair of females together (in case I don’t want to breed!)
It will have common species like corn snakes, ball pythons, king snakes (I will not have a pair of those together!), boa constrictors- and other species like African house snakes, white lipped pythons, emerald tree boas.
This is assuming I have a huge enclosure for them, with multiple basking and cool spots, and many hides etc. I’d say double the size of the recommended enclosure, maybe more.
I know it’s controversial in the pet world, but what about zoos? I’d love to do something like Snake Discovery does, and I know they have a few pairs together like their Argentine boas! Some would be breeding pairs, but I don’t want to breed EVERY species I have lol
I know Emily and Ed and I know they and their staff very closely monitor animals to make sure there aren’t any injuries or issues. That said, in a zoo environment I find cohabitation acceptable, as long as there’s a purpose for it. For instance, communal species like garter snakes or breeding pairs - totally fine. However, what would be the benefit of having two females together? Just to have two animals in the enclosure? In that case I would probably investigate if cohabitation is actually best for the animals or if it just makes more sense for you.
I think cohabitation can be done right, you just need to be very knowledgeable on the species care requirements and have a very large enclosure. For cohabitation I would recommend something 4x (or more) the size of a regular recommended enclosure. The animals need to have plenty of space to get away from one another.
While kingsnakes are known to be cannibalistic and are snake eaters in the wild, do remember that any snake that is co-habbed can attack and cannibalize if you aren’t careful and monitoring feeding behaviors. I have seen ball pythons and corns both do this. Not just kings or hognose.
I appreciate these inputs!! I’m thinking of breeding pairs and not the female pair. The only thing I’d be worried about is say I have a pair of emerald boas and they have hatchlings- being able to rehome very unique species would be difficult even if I knew of several people that would actively be ready to buy them. I’m sure I wouldn’t have an issue once I get popularity, but maybe I’d have to stick with very common pairs if any while I build up reputation
I would like to chime in and say that its unfortunately not just “unique” species that are difficult to find homes for. Its actually significantly harder to find homes for more common species… since they are so common and there is so much competition for selling them.
The only snake species I know of that actually cohab comfortably are Garter snakes, but they have a much more diverse dietary need than other snakes.
With that being said, why do you want to breed snakes in a zoo setting? I also want to ask how far down the line this zoo plan is for you? I commend the ambition as its always nice to see stuff like that around and its good for the awareness of these animals but its also a daunting and expensive task to open up a zoo, even a small one.
It’s far down the line! It’s my end goal really. I’m currently breeding ball pythons, but I’m going to expand into doing educational programs and other things!