Will a corn snake eat other snakes?

As a newbie I was told sure snake can cohab. I read more and learned why not to do so. We talked about it and we kept 2 balls together. He got too thin, she gravid. So questions were asked. Finally, it was agreed to separate them. So this should have been lesson learned. We still had 2 young corns together "the twins". I was still saying separate, one was getting thinner. Last week, I separated them. And was lucky to be able to do so. The larger corn was getting ready to eat the smaller "twin". OMG. Well both are still alive and omg this was no way to get 2 cohabbing humans to agree not to cahab snakes..... So follow the more conservative practice and remember a snake doesn't cuddle due to affection.

If two snakes are "snuggling," how do we know it's so stressful for them and a competition? Can't they just happen to be in the same spot and feel indifferent towards each other? I don't advocate cohabbing. I'm just curious about this behavior.

Odds are the "cuddling" occurs when both snakes want to hide in the same spot.

Picture a small apartment. It's cold and you want to get warm, but someone is already sitting in the only place. You may or may not like this person, but must get warm, so you squeeze in with them.

This may or may not cause you stress. If it does you may stop eating or become aggressive. You could also become sick from something the other person has. However, you have no choice but to keep going back to that spot because it's warm and you must have heat.

We can't project human emotions on snakes. You have to look at behavior patterns in wild animal. Some times they share a den, but not often, and normally out of absolute necessity. In the wild if they bed down with another snake for a chilly night the next day they more then likely move off to another section of the ENORMOUS wilderness range. Even mating pairs don't spend prolonged stretches of time together.

Until snakes grow vocal chords we have to based our standards of care off of their natural behavior. Natural behavior is not being trapped in a small space with another snake that they may secretly hate, but can't get away from. Sure natural behavior is also not being in a 20 gallon viv to start, but that's why we as keepers provide stimulating cage environments and add in what enrichment we can. It's our responsibility to give each animal the best care possible within the scope of that animals needs.

Originally Posted by DartFrogsDragonfly

As a newbie I was told sure snake can cohab. I read more and learned why not to do so. We talked about it and we kept 2 balls together. He got too thin, she gravid. So questions were asked. Finally, it was agreed to separate them. So this should have been lesson learned. We still had 2 young corns together "the twins". I was still saying separate, one was getting thinner. Last week, I separated them. And was lucky to be able to do so. The larger corn was getting ready to eat the smaller "twin". OMG. Well both are still alive and omg this was no way to get 2 cohabbing humans to agree not to cahab snakes..... So follow the more conservative practice and remember a snake doesn't cuddle due to affection.

Wow. You mean that your snakes were showing signs of stress and aggression from being cohabbed?

This is a typical example of a cohabbing situation. People start wondering why one of the snakes is looking sickly. Or why one of the snakes won't eat.
They CUDDLE though, so it must not be because they are STRESSED.

If you have any problems with your snakes, and you are cohabbing, separating the snakes is the first step to fixing problems. Sometimes it is the only step needed.

Originally Posted by dan803

If two snakes are "snuggling," how do we know it's so stressful for them and a competition? Can't they just happen to be in the same spot and feel indifferent towards each other? I don't advocate cohabbing. I'm just curious about this behavior.

Experience. Nature.
If you are really curious, you can go read some scientific papers done on snakes and communal living in the wild.

Also, there are clues. The snakes start showing signs of stress. Loosing weight, aggression, loss of appetite, respiratory infection from a weakened immune system, etc.

Some people claim that their cohabbed snakes are showing no symptoms of stress.
I guess some snakes tolerate it better than others.

But snakes are incapable of enjoying another snake's company.
Snakes only enjoy food and mating. They are simple-minded creatures.
And, since snakes are territorial, they enjoy having their own territories.
Except in mating season and for hibernation, where in the wild they will sometimes gather together. This does not mean a complete true, however. Deaths from aggression do happen in hibernation dens.

Corn snakes never see their "mother". They don't develop social skills. They can be taught to not fear us, but that is simple conditioning. Their instincts tell them to defend their territory from other snakes. Cohabbing is fighting their instincts. It isn't fair to the snake.

Go over and read this thread and you'll know why I don't house snakes together.

"Can two males lock up?"

@Iguanagirl8662- Read Naggas' replies and you will understand what I was asking.

@BloodyBaroness- Your making a good argument thus far about behavior and habitats, but if what your saying about animals being confined is true, then why keep snakes in captivity at all? If I do not want my snakes to get sick, then I should take precautions about making sure they have good husbandry...

@ZoologyGirl- Your off topic

@reptile65- like I said to Iguanagirl8662, read Naggas' reply and you will get your answer.

@Naggas- Thank you for your insightful clarification about my intended question. I don't mind keeping two snakes of the same species together, as long as they have enough room and are kept clean. If your going to suggest scientific papers, perhaps you can give me some links?

@Allalaskan- Can you make some other contribution than simply repeating the same complaints?

@Hypancistrus:

No need to be insulting,
That is the height of irresponsible animal ownership.

@OkeeteeMom- Thank you for the info.

@DartFrogsDragonfly: Thanks for the info. I know sometimes snakes will fast in order to eat larger meals, say they can't get the things they are used to and only bigger animals are available. The story makes sense.

@dan803: I agree. I don't believe snakes are mad at eachother. Just because they are solitary doesn't mean they are also terribly aggressive. I think they really don't care, but again it depends on the species, and the snakes involved.

If you guys can make better contribution in the matter I might be willing to separate the bulls. I don't want them to get sick or hurt each other. I've been keeping snakes since I was a kid, sometimes together sometimes separate. I don't like the idea of keeping two different species together, but I've kept garder snakes and black racers. What it all comes down to is my experience has taught me same species co-habbing as it is called here, does not bring harm, but I am not so sure about two different species. I know my bulls are growing, and my bull snake seems to be growing faster than my north Mexican pine. I know bull snakes eat other snakes, and so I would separate them because of size. If they didn't eat other snakes, like red tailed boas, I would not be concerned.

Originally Posted by boabass6

If you guys can make better contribution in the matter I might be willing to separate the bulls.

We've already told you our experiences, opinions, and thoughts on the matter. What more do you want? Take it and do what you will.

Q. "Will a cornsnake eat other snakes?"
A. It's not outside the realm of possibility.

Originally Posted by boabass6

I don't like the idea of keeping two different species together...

Sounds like you answered your own question.

Originally Posted by boabass6

What it all comes down to is my experience has taught me same species co-habbing as it is called here, does not bring harm, but I am not so sure about two different species.

It's obvious that it has worked out for you so far. Until you have a bad experience with it, I'm sure you'll just continue to cohab your snakes. But I'm sure it will only take one bad experience for you to change your mind. I'd personally rather go the more preventative route and just not have to worry about possible problems in the first place. Just my opinion....

I answered your question and told you cohabbing is wrong. If your not willing to learn or listen I'm done, I hope you never experience any problems. Good luck.