Housing Future Mates Together

[greymaiden]

I suppose this could go in either the housing section or the breeder section, so I'm posting it in both.

I have a '02 male het for butter corn named Jormungand. I'm looking into getting him a full butter girlfriend so that I can breed them in two years or so. I've been hesitating because I can't afford a whole new setup (Aquarium, Lights, etc) this close to christmas to house the two of them seperately.

So I guess I have two questions:

1) Jormungand is a very good tempered snake. Though he hasn't actually lived with other snakes besides his clutchmates, he doesn't seem to have any adverse reaction to other snakes and I think he would adjust well psychologically to a roommate. Assuming that he is not upset, is there any reason not to house two small corn snakes of approximately the same age in the same 20G tank? (Obviously when they grow larger I will buy a bigger tank, but right now they're pretty small)

2) Supposing housing them together works out, will their cohabitation and consequent familiarity with each other be a bonus, a detriment, or not matter at all when it comes time to breed them? Will the fact that they get along encourage them to breed, or will their familiarity with each other hinder the process?

I've obviously never bred snakes before, but I see no reason not to start doing research now, so if anyone has any other suggestions about how I can start preparing I'd appreciate those too

Thanks,
Jamie Lynn
(who lives with Jormungand)

 

[Darin Chappell]

Though it is relative rare, small cornsnakes DO occasinally cannibalize one another. Further, this is seen most often, it seems, in those animals that are/were problem feeders. You should know that butters are sometimes very difficult to get started on pinky mice (according to one noted breeder, who produces large numbers of them). Does that make butters more likely to cannibalize a cagemate? I doubt it, but it is something to consider.

Another issue is that they may get along too well! It is entirely possible for a female corn to become gravid well before it is reasonably safe for her to carry the eggs. I have never had a female become eggbound, and I have inadvertantly bred snakes that were too small in the past. However, the fact of the matter is that it is unwise to risk the life of a female you want to keep and breed for many years to come, simply for lack of a tupperware-type container, IMHO.

The fact is that snakes are solitary, and there is no good reason to house them together except in breeding situations. Hope this helps.

 

[Taceas]

I agree with Darin..

Why risk cannibalism, early breeding that may lead to death of the female, and disease just because you don't have the money to buy an elaborate setup for another snake? Stress in reptiles is a huge black-hole..that may be responsible for other diseases that were once under control to fully blossom and become deadly.

Save some money and go to Wal-mart and get a Rubbermaid or Sterilite container. Make sure to pick one with a lid that latches, drill some holes in the sides for ventilation, put in some bedding and a water bowl, and a hide..and you're good to go.

Granted, it's not as pretty as an aquarium can be..but it's just as functional and I would say almost easier to clean. For one snake, yearling to adult size, a plastic container would run you $3 at the most.

If you have a warm room, 75-80F, a plastic container will do just fine, no external heat source required.

On a side note, I don't know where you get your aquariums..but Wal-mart has 10 gallon tanks for $8 here. The wire lid I have to get at PetSmart costs more than the aquarium itself (go figure).

In the end, its not worth it. Not trying to be mean here, but if you don't have the money to spend for a separate enclosure, how do you intend to pay for potential veterinary costs if something happens to one or both snakes? Reptile veterinary care is expensive, because you not only have to find a qualified person (which are usually more pricey), you have to have non-traditional medicine and services done. It's not like taking a cat to the vet to get it's rabies shot.

 

[bmm]

Agree with everything both Darin & Taceas said, big time.

There is not ONE reason that is beneficial to the snakes to house them together. It would be nice, but frankly snakes are solitary and not even able to "adjust well psychologically to a roommate" they don't have the mental abilities to choose to ignore their nature, which is a solitary one. They can't one day decide to turn back on thousands of years of evolution. They just can't.

Another issue is health. For one, if you own your one snake now and purchase a new snake, even if you wanted to disregard our advice and house together, your snakes MUST be seperate for qaurinteen at least. The new snake may pass parasites, or even a fatal condition to your current snake. So right away, to purcahse a new snake you need another enclosure.

Housing together also ruins any chances of knowing who did what poop, who regurged, etc. Just makes things hard and risky.

Again it would be nice, but its just not beneficial to the snakes.

bmm