will housing my snakes hamper future breedings?

[sid]

I currently have 1 male 2 females all housed together in a huge cage, when I first introduced the first female in october he jumped all over her for about a month and a half. I don't think she took because she is still thin (she has always been a little petit. I just introduced a new female 6'+ and bulkier and he is now interested in her. Will this hamper future breeding and can they all be housed together happily without added stress? Thanks for everybodies time

[Erich_Gaertner]

Hi Sid,
IMO boas should be housed in seperate cages except during breeding season. I believe that housing multiple boas together year round is stressful to the animals. My reason for this is simple. In the wild boas are solitary animals who most likely avoid members of their own species except during breeding season. This is likely due to competition over food. Something else to consider when housing multiple boas together, what will happen if one of your females gives birth? I can attest personally how viciously a female boa will defend her newly born offspring! It is not fun! What will become of the other boas if indeed one of your females drop some babies for you? The potential consequences could be ugly and unfortunate! As for hampering future breeding attempts, I can't answer that, but I think the stress of 2 females in one cage COULD prove to be detrimental to any future breeding attempts. Just my opinion formed from a little experience and asking many questions to boa breeders who have produced more boas than I could dream of! Good Luck with your boas and Welcome to the Tank! :)
Erich Gaertner
www.strictlyboas.com

[redtailboas]

I agree with Erich. It will just be better all around for the continued health of the boas if they have their own enclosures.

Place a male and female together when they are appropriately sized for breeding. The male attempting to breed and court the small female is very stressful on the small female.

An important fact of breeding is that you MUST have enclosures for each one anyway so you are prepared when one is gravid. A gravid female needs to be alone to best ensure a proper environment for gestation/partuition.

Hope this helps