One snake could establish dominance over the other.<\/strong><\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\nAs we have mentioned before, ball pythons are highly competitive. They, therefore, tend to mark the territory of their resources by establishing dominance over the other snake when forced to cohabit. Dominance could exhibit itself as the two snakes having a favorite position in the tank. On the outside, it looks like the snakes have adjusted and are getting along. However, more often than not, the dominant snake has acquired a spot with the right warmth for its optimum survival. The other snake is denied access to such resources, and they, therefore, have to do with what is available. It may lead to the submissive snake developing stress or health complications due to poor quality of life.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Still, on dominance, the dominant snake is likely to steal food belonging to the submissive snake. Over time, the submissive snake becomes underfed, and it may eventually develop health complications. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
The Snakes could develop stress<\/strong><\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\nStress among ball pythons could happen to both the dominant and the submissive snake. The more competitive snake, and the snake that is chased away, could develop stress when they keep sharing a home. Stress in snakes could lead to health complications.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
It can be hard to tell when the snake is experiencing low-level stress. Here are some of the signs to look out for<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The snakes stop feeding<\/li> Excessive weight loss<\/li> The sakes become too restless. They are constantly exploring, especially during the day<\/li> The snakes become aggressive. They may rub their nose against things<\/li> Any other behavior that was not there should be a cause of alarm<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\nThe danger of cannibalism<\/strong><\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\nAlthough cases of one ball python eating the other are rare, it is a potential danger. The danger of cannibalism increases if your ball pythons are not of the same size. In most cases, the enormous python could cannibalize the smaller one. It is recommended that if your ball pythons have to cohabit, they should at least be of the same size to reduce the chances of cannibalism <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Spreading of diseases becomes easier<\/strong><\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\nIt is easier for one snake to spread diseases to the other while they are cohabiting. As such, should the disease be severe, you risk losing both snakes at the same time. However, if the snakes are in different tanks, you can identify the sick snake and treat it before spreading the disease to the other snake. Moreover, treating two sick snakes is more expensive than treating one.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
It is more work to keep two ball pythons in the same tank.<\/strong><\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\nAs you have seen from the discussion above, one of the tips for keeping two ball pythons in the same tank is that you need a spacious tank. Cleaning the tank and the waste from the two snakes will require more effort. In some cases, to avoid issues with dominance while feeding, you might have to feed the submissive snake away from the dominant one. By doing so, you are adding to the list of things you have to clean when rearing your snakes<\/p>\n\n\n\n
It is more expensive to keep two ball pythons together.<\/strong><\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\nIf you cannot avoid cohabiting your ball pythons, you must be ready to incur the cost. Some of the expenses will result from needing a spacious tank, spacious outdoor space, and more food to counter dominance. It will also be more expensive to treat two snakes when they fall ill instead of only one.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The danger of egg binding<\/strong><\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\nThis problem cuts across generally keeping snakes together. Egg binding is whereby snakes try to lay eggs, but the eggs are too big for them. The problem of egg binding starts when a female and male snake are kept together, and the female is not mature for mating while the male is. Should the two snakes mate, the female will not lay the eggs since they are not big enough for that, nor do they have the energy required. The result is a condition known as egg binding. In some server cases, it could kill the snake. Therefore, you want to make sure that your two snakes are compatible.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The point of keeping ball pythons and other types of snakes is to pet them. Therefore, it is almost given that you are looking out for them to provide them with optimum conditions to thrive. If this is the case, keeping them together is one of the ways to cause them stress, health complications and expose them to fights and cannibalism. That is not a good life, and therefore, you should not cohabit your ball pythons. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n\n\n\nREAD NEXT: <\/strong>Ball Python Hissing – Reasons + What to Do<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n \n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"Ball pythons are a species of pythons that are known for curling themselves into a ball. They are characteristically solitary creatures; they are shy, and they prefer to be alone. Therefore, you will rarely find … Read more<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":698,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[7],"tags":[],"yoast_head":"\nCan Ball Pythons Live Together? Dangers and Considerations | Being Reptiles<\/title>\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n\t \n\t \n\t \n \n \n \n\t \n\t \n\t \n