 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
Co-Habitation
keeping multiple snakes in a single cage is not a good idea. Although it is
done by many people, and sometimes without problems, there is many
reasons to avoid doing so if possible.
done by many people, and sometimes without problems, there is many
reasons to avoid doing so if possible.
1. Health reasons - If you have more than one snake in a cage, you can not
accurately keep track of the health of each snake. If a snake regurgitates (throws
up its meal), you will not know which snake it was until you separate them. Many
times the condition is not caught until it is too late. Also, if one snake has a
contagious disease, housing that snake with any other, almost guarantees the
second snake will get the condition as well.
2. Stress - Most snakes are solitary by nature. Contrary to popular belief, not all
animals must have a "friend" to keep them company. Some people see their
snakes curled up under the same hide together and think "Oh, they like each
other". This is not the case. It is merely the fact that the hide they are under
provides the optimal conditions (heat, safety, light). The fact is that having multiple
snakes actually stresses many snakes out. When a snake is stressed, it may
cause health issues to develop.
3. Cannibalism - This may not be common among snakes such as corns, but it still
happens. King snakes are well known for cannibalism. Keeping two snakes
together opens the opportunity for one snake to eat the other. This risk increases
greatly when feeding snakes in the same container as well.
accurately keep track of the health of each snake. If a snake regurgitates (throws
up its meal), you will not know which snake it was until you separate them. Many
times the condition is not caught until it is too late. Also, if one snake has a
contagious disease, housing that snake with any other, almost guarantees the
second snake will get the condition as well.
2. Stress - Most snakes are solitary by nature. Contrary to popular belief, not all
animals must have a "friend" to keep them company. Some people see their
snakes curled up under the same hide together and think "Oh, they like each
other". This is not the case. It is merely the fact that the hide they are under
provides the optimal conditions (heat, safety, light). The fact is that having multiple
snakes actually stresses many snakes out. When a snake is stressed, it may
cause health issues to develop.
3. Cannibalism - This may not be common among snakes such as corns, but it still
happens. King snakes are well known for cannibalism. Keeping two snakes
together opens the opportunity for one snake to eat the other. This risk increases
greatly when feeding snakes in the same container as well.
A three - way corn eating corn. One corn ate
a second and then is partial eaten by a third
a second and then is partial eaten by a third
4. Breeding - Having two snakes housed together opens the door to breeding. You
may think you have two snakes of the same sex, but snakes are quite frequently
sexed incorrectly. Often, the mistake is not noticed until one snake is gravid
(pregnant), or lays eggs. If you plan on breeding, housing the snakes together is
still a bad idea. Often times males try to mate with females before they are ready
and are too young. This stresses the females. If mating does occur before the
female is old enough, she could become egg bound (not able to lay). This results
in a large vet bill and could even lead to the death of your snake. So, if you do plan
to breed, do not introduce the snakes until everything, and everyone is ready.
Housing two male snakes together will cause them to compete during breeding
season. This can cause stress (see #2).
5. Escapes - Escapes happen, even with experienced keepers. If you have
multiple snakes housed in the same cage and an escape route becomes
available, you will lose all snakes in that cage, not just one, like you would if they
were separately housed.
6. Mites - Although this qualifies as a health reason, I thought I'd list mites
separately. Mites are a major pain, both to the snake owner and especially the
snake itself. They are a factor of stress for the snake because the snake can not
get away from mites, like they can in the wild. Introducing two snakes to each
other allows the chance for mites to transfer from one snake to the other. All
snakes should be quarantined before being introduced into any collection.
Especially if it will be housed with another snake.
may think you have two snakes of the same sex, but snakes are quite frequently
sexed incorrectly. Often, the mistake is not noticed until one snake is gravid
(pregnant), or lays eggs. If you plan on breeding, housing the snakes together is
still a bad idea. Often times males try to mate with females before they are ready
and are too young. This stresses the females. If mating does occur before the
female is old enough, she could become egg bound (not able to lay). This results
in a large vet bill and could even lead to the death of your snake. So, if you do plan
to breed, do not introduce the snakes until everything, and everyone is ready.
Housing two male snakes together will cause them to compete during breeding
season. This can cause stress (see #2).
5. Escapes - Escapes happen, even with experienced keepers. If you have
multiple snakes housed in the same cage and an escape route becomes
available, you will lose all snakes in that cage, not just one, like you would if they
were separately housed.
6. Mites - Although this qualifies as a health reason, I thought I'd list mites
separately. Mites are a major pain, both to the snake owner and especially the
snake itself. They are a factor of stress for the snake because the snake can not
get away from mites, like they can in the wild. Introducing two snakes to each
other allows the chance for mites to transfer from one snake to the other. All
snakes should be quarantined before being introduced into any collection.
Especially if it will be housed with another snake.
Picture taken when snakes were fed in same cage