I got a new ball python from an expo. He’s a little guy right now but when he is old can I put him in the enclosure with my little girl?
If you mean cohabbing, generally this is not recommended for most reptiles, including ball pythons, even though some people have had success. In my opinion, the risk of stress, injury, fighting, cannibalism, or breeding/overbreeding wouldn’t be worth it.
If you mean for breeding purposes, I’d suggest you 1) do a ton more research before ever committing to the idea of breeding ball pythons and 2) understand that the market is super oversaturated and unless you have some amazing morphs and quality animals, most babies won’t sell quickly if at all, and you may have to house lots of babies long term.
Hopefully a more experienced BP keeper can chime in too
Typically ball pythons should not be housed together, except temporarily for breeding purposes. Males and females will most likely breed if left together when both are sexually mature, and breeding is probably not something you want to be dealing with at this point in your reptile keeping journey.
Just plan to keep your kids in separate enclosures.
I’m going to third this.
Cohabbing is definitely not something you want to do with ball pythons. And I would say even with other species that can, doing so when you are just beginning is a bad idea.
It’s rare, but ball pythons have been known to kill or cannibalize. Even when breeding, I had one female reacting to one male so much I ended up just separating them not long after introducing them.
Also, if breeding you really do need to read up on genetics and such before. As well as know a good reptile vet in case of emergencies. The market definitely is oversaturated currently so you may be hanging on to some for a while.
Hey if you are planning on cohabbing I would agree with everyone here and not advise it. Ball pythons are solitary animals and putting two in the same enclosure would probably end up with both of them competing for the best spots/hotspot. Perhaps causing stress and in the worst case scenario injury.
To add to @jawramik Jennifer’s post, breeding is a distinct possibility and that’s right up there after cannibalism. So you could very well end up with an eaten/dead ball python or a clutch of eggs/babies.
I believe the vast majority of breeders/keepers here vote No to cohabitation. Unless of course for breeding purposes……
Depending on how awful your luck is and which snake is the offender…you could end up with both - no more male and a gravid female…perhapes even for 2 seasons with retained sperm!
Ooh! Great point and well written!
Thank you for everyone’s input! I ended up getting my new snake and he’s all good. Doesn’t eat too good but expected for his age tbh.