I have a breeding pair here that I adopted from Beccah (some of you remember her). They were kept in an enclosure together even after the female laid the eggs and they were removed from her. When I got them I was told that the female would not eat as long as the male was living with her and she will not eat rats.
Well, it took a couple months after seperation before she would eat. I also discovered that she will not eat unless absolutely secure (in a tight fitting hide). I have to place the mouse at the entrance to her hide and leave her alone. She won't take it until she feels she is safe to. *sigh* I'll never be able to get breeding weight back on her at this rate since she won't take more than one mouse a week and I can't hold her much at all because if I do she refuses her next meal. Can't see her, can't hold her....
The male I have no such problem with. He seems to enjoy being handled, takes large rats and he's huge!
The point of all this is: it is best for the Royals to be seperated because many are quite high strung. In the long run it is much healthier for them and easier to clean up after them. You will also be able to tell if one has a problem if they aren't living together. "Great, I need a fecal sample but I don't know which snake left it!"
