Housing together

[marisa]

Hello! I have been tempted ever since we got our hypo tang to purchase a nice male for her. But since, I have realized I am not really interested in breeding leopards as I hate crickets and basically caring for the babies wouldn't be my cup of tea, so I will leave it to those who have more passion for them. For now anyways.

So if I want another leopard, I'd get female most likely. Can two females live together safely? Actually I KNOW they can, but don't the same risks apply to leopards that make me advise people to never house snakes together?

When feeding can't aggression be a problem?
What about illness, of course I would only house two perfectly healthy parasite free animals together but don't people who house females together worry if something did come up, everyone is automatically infected in some cases?

Does anyone know the natural/wild behaviour of female leopards? Is communal living natural for them or are they found alone?

Any insight would rule.
Thanks guys
Marisa

[Dark_Angel_25]

Hi Marisa!
Well my two, Freckles and Zipper have been living together all their lives. Yes one (zipper) has a more ferocious apetite and freckles doesn't always get first pickings, but she does get her fill. we throw in crickets until they don't look at them anymore for 10 minutes, usually Greckles eats at the end (she is the smaller of the 2)
But as for aggression, there is none. they really do love each other. when I tried taking Zipper out so freckles had more chance to feed, she would NOT eat at all... so I let them be. freckles will sometimes even hitch a ride on Zippers back and go around the tank a few times.

There is the occasional 'tail lifting' once in a blue moon, but they have never acted on it, and it happens very rarely, and frankly is very cute to see.
I personally have had no problems, what i do know is because you will be introducing a stranger per se, re arrange the tank to avoid territorial issues...

If I forgot anything, hopefully someone else can give you a hand!

[makaveli]

I have 3 leo's togather 1 male and 2 females and the to females get along great. My blizzard female picked on my male albino once, but I have never seen it happen again. and everyone still has thier tails.

[drewlowe]

I have 5 females housed together and i haven't experinced any feeding problems yet. Mine are all mild mannered though. You just have to watch and see how their temperment is towards each other.

Yep your right if one gets something you have to assume all of them have it. So if you somehow get say pinworms in a fecal. Then you would treat both of them with the same meds.

I'll post more later or else i'll be late for bowling. LOL

[marisa]

O.k. well I see all your points and I certainly do not believe any of you are doing the wrong thing or treating your leos in an unhealthy manner, but for me as a simple leopard pet owner, I will probably just stick to one per cage to avoid any risks. :D

Marisa