I've always kept furry fuzzy creatures, and have absolutely no knowledge of most reptiles behaviorally. (besides bits and pieces from general animal knowledge.) So I have a couple questions on the keeping of corn snakes, and I'd be so very thankful to those with answers! =)
Having always kept cats, dogs, rodents, etc, I know that they enjoy buddies. I never keep gerbils in anything but even numbers (the odd number always ends up alone, which is very sad), have always kept at least two cats to be playmates, and the times through my life that I've only had one dog instead of two, the dog has me for a constant companion. (My german shepherds. hehe)
So, the question is, do snakes fare better when they are or aren't alone? Should I get only one, or should I get two? (Is it a matter of personality, and some like being with other snakes/animals, or is it more of a generality that corn snakes do/don't like being in the same cage with another snake?)
With cats, it's better to have a slew of males and no females, and depending on the breed of dog, all of one gender over the other. Gerbils you generally have to keep one sex altogether, and males are less territorial and fight-worthy than the ladies. (Though, they are picky breeders - we have a male and female together since the day we got them, and we haven't had a litter yet. That was two years ago!
)
If I get two, are two males better together, or two females? I really don't want to breed, so unless corn snakes are as picky breeders as gerbils (from everything I've read, I doubt that), I don't really want to put a male and female together.
Oh, and I would also be getting them at the same infant stage, I wouldn't be throwing two mature animals in the same cage. (Or, would it be better for mature animals to be together? I know a mature would probably eat an immature snake, so that won't happen.)
Which brings me to my next question, should I still quarentine the animals seperately for several months even if I buy them from the same place? Or is it alright to put them together straight away?
And finally, I would be setting up a 20gal rectangular tank (minimum), would that be alright for two fully mature snakes? (If you all recommend getting more than one) Or should I go up to a 30gal for two?
Thanks! =D
Having always kept cats, dogs, rodents, etc, I know that they enjoy buddies. I never keep gerbils in anything but even numbers (the odd number always ends up alone, which is very sad), have always kept at least two cats to be playmates, and the times through my life that I've only had one dog instead of two, the dog has me for a constant companion. (My german shepherds. hehe)
So, the question is, do snakes fare better when they are or aren't alone? Should I get only one, or should I get two? (Is it a matter of personality, and some like being with other snakes/animals, or is it more of a generality that corn snakes do/don't like being in the same cage with another snake?)
With cats, it's better to have a slew of males and no females, and depending on the breed of dog, all of one gender over the other. Gerbils you generally have to keep one sex altogether, and males are less territorial and fight-worthy than the ladies. (Though, they are picky breeders - we have a male and female together since the day we got them, and we haven't had a litter yet. That was two years ago!
If I get two, are two males better together, or two females? I really don't want to breed, so unless corn snakes are as picky breeders as gerbils (from everything I've read, I doubt that), I don't really want to put a male and female together.
Oh, and I would also be getting them at the same infant stage, I wouldn't be throwing two mature animals in the same cage. (Or, would it be better for mature animals to be together? I know a mature would probably eat an immature snake, so that won't happen.)
Which brings me to my next question, should I still quarentine the animals seperately for several months even if I buy them from the same place? Or is it alright to put them together straight away?
And finally, I would be setting up a 20gal rectangular tank (minimum), would that be alright for two fully mature snakes? (If you all recommend getting more than one) Or should I go up to a 30gal for two?
Thanks! =D