scratch one another and these wounds can easily become infected . Just like bearded dragons , turtles that have lived together for many years may still turn on each other out of the blue .
Pythons .
Pythons are no exception to the rule and are also lone wanderers , preferring the company of themselves alone . It is common practice to house pythons individually , and even when breeding , pairs are generally best kept apart for most of the year and only introduced to each other for short periods during the breeding season . Whilst there are generally less obvious signs of aggression between snakes of the same species and size that are housed together , this is still not recommended and comes with its own set of risks .
Feeding danger . Feeding two pythons together in the same enclosure is an extremely risky practice . If one finishes its meal first , it may try to consume the food item that its cagemate is eating . This can result in a very bad outcome for one or both of the snakes involved .
Whilst this article has focussed on the more commonly kept reptiles for beginners , there are a number of Australian native species that can be successfully housed in small groups and even thrive when housed communally . The Egernia genus of skinks can often be housed together provided the group is already established or they are raised together from a young age . Some small dragon species , such as those in the genera Ctenophorus ( most notably the Central Netted Dragon ) and Diporiphora , can also do well in small groups . Likewise , some species of monitors and geckos may also be housed communally , however , careful consideration must be made and this is generally only recommended for more experienced keepers .
As reptile keepers we have a responsibility to ensure the animals in our care are provided with the best possible living environments . What we think may be best for an animal is not always the case . The most successful keepers are those that truly understand their animals and their specific needs and requirements and ensure that these are met at all times . The best way to do this is to research the lifestyle of the species concerned and imagine ourselves in their skin and truly think like a reptile !