As I have said on MANY other threads about the subject, I am not ENTIRELY against cohabbing, just ALMOST entirely against it. I have known of a couple of instances where very experienced keepers set up community tanks with certain herps in large, enriched enclosures, and found it to be entertaining, educational, and kept healthy herps that way.
But I ALWAYS advise beginners and intermediate keepers to avoid cohabbing because it just adds complications and dangers (the symptoms of which can be very subtle to the untrained eye), and beginners have enough to learn even when keeping things simple.
Kathy, those are excellent points. I have co-habbed on occassion but only with adult females who have been long term with me. It is exactly like you mentioned...
Once you have a few years experience and you really know your individual animals well, don't always give up your own judgment or willingness to experiment (in an educated way) to the crowds who are sure they know best. We would never learn anything new if everyone did that.
The least little sign of problems, change in eating habits, unusual behavior, etc is noticed and the separation is done. And I am in the snake room 8 to 10 hours daily, so when I choose those females to co-hab together, they are observed for their behavior and adjustment. I have many females who have no problems co-habbing with another. I have some who I don't even attempt to co-hab...their reaction, behavior, and feedings are affected.
What do I tell someone when I am asked...can I put these two together? I would be hypocritical if I adamantly said...absolutely not, corns should never be co-habbed...when I do it myself. I try to explain in a logical way all the reasons for not co-habbing...stress, possible cannabilism, feeding disorders, spread of disease if one is sick, possibility of breeding at too early of an age, etc., but in a polite way, not in one that is aggressive, demeaning, and authoritaritive. I stress to the individual...I do not recommend co-habbing or even attempting co-habbing with hatchlings, or juveniles, but yes, it can be done succesfully with some adults and subadults, BUT you must know your snake's 'personality' so to speak...and that takes time, not a week, not a month, and sometimes even longer than a year. If you feel you have absolute confidence that you know your snake well enough to recognize any signs of stress, odd behavior, etc and wish to try it at that time, then who am I to say it is wrong and something you shouldn't do.
But when you take on a new project, hobby, etc, it is often best to go with the established ways that have been shown to work best - that is what I do when starting something new.
Exactly as I feel Kathy. Folks will do as they please. If their mind is open for 'learning', they will learn, research, and make the decision for themselves. Demeaning them for co-habbing, debating with them and trying to convince them they are wrong accomplishes nothing other than acrimony. Educating in a positive manner with respect that the other individual is simply asking for information is a much more positive approach in my way of thinking. The choice will ultimately be theirs in the end to make. I don't think a knowledgeable breeder/hobbyest/corn owner is any less responsible simply because he chooses to do things a little different than the majority. It's those who adamantly say it's wrong that have the closed minds to the fact...it is possible and can be done successfully if you have the proper knowledge.
What's the old saying...there is more than one way to skin a cat. Having someone like yourself step forward and voice your thoughts is a very positive educational aspect of this thread.
Ruth
