couple, 2 males or 2 females??

[chris330]

Hi everyone....from Switzerland:p
I'm a longtime aquariophilist but I'm a newcomer in snakes... I'm thinking about having 2 elaphes guttata to start with as I red everywhere that it's THE perfect snake for beginners...gentle and solid...
I was wondering if it's better to have 2 females or 2 males or a couple. I'm not specially interested into reproduction but just would like to know if 2 males or 2 females together can be agressive against each other.
Is it better to have a couple and in this case how can I avoid having "babies"?
Elaphe guttata is a good choice to start with.....right?

[marisa]

Hi.

Well the best way to avoid all the risks is to house seperatly.

If you do get a pair of male and female, early breeding is a real concern and can cause the female problems. Two males won't always fight and two females probably never ever fight but you will have other issues possibly.

For one you cannot moniter each snakes health individually. If one regurgatates food you won't know which, if one has questionable poop you won't know which. Housing together automatically means two vet visits if one is sick.

Snakes are also fairly solitary creatures and don't care if they never see another member of their species.

Corn snakes ARE THE BEST beginner snake! That is definitly true.

Marisa

[chris330]

Thanks Marisa for your quick reply. I understood your point!
I thought they would prefer not being rised alone but if you tell me they really don't care...that's fine for me.....

[marisa]

No they totally don't care. In fact there is less stress involved if you house seperately.

A cornsnake will be an excellent choice. They eat easily, stay a good size (biggest ones maybe hit 6 feet but are very slender) and can become VERY "tame"

Good luck and I hope you enjoy your new snakes!

Marisa

[reverendsterlin]

housing seperate is a good thing. while not interested in breeding at this point, having a male/female pair does leave the option open farther down the line should you change your mind.

[chris330]

Thanks...can I start immediately with a "normal size" viv or is it better to start with a small one and change for a bigger one when my snake grows up. I heard that having a small snake in a big viv can stress him. is that right?
And another question...I also heard that it's better to feed my snake outside his "regular" viv otherwise he may think that my hand is a prey everytime I open the door...right?

[sapphire_moon]

A normal sized? As in what size. An adult corn can live in a 20 gal tank, but bigger is better (as long as you have the proper amount of hides and such) No the snake won't think your food, if you open his/her cage to do more than feed them, take them out every once in a while to let them know that every time you open the cage it won't be food. Personally.....whenever I open my vivs, I tap on the side of it, or the bottom to let the snake know that I'm around, I'm not food, It's not feeding time, and I'm going to pick it up. I have never been bitten, even with my "witchy" little female that don't really understand yet that I'm not going to hurt her.