Fighting for a meal

Question
I have 2 Brazilian Rainbow boas. They are only about3 months old now so I let them share a 10 gal aquirium. Normally I seperate them during feeding time. My female hasnt ate in about 12 days (due to shedding) and my male ate 2 mice this week. I was running late for work so thought I would toss a mouse in the cage for her before I left. Neither showed much interest at first then the female finally hit it and wrapped. At this time I pulled the male out to reinsert the water dish and climb stick. I put the male back in and he suddenly went over to the female and bit the rear end of the mouse and wrapped it also, while the female is still at the head of the mouse they begin a tug of war. My question is this very common? If I wouldn't have been there to get the male away would they have harmed each other over the prey or would one have just tired out? Thank you in advance for your response.

Answer
Hi Derek,

It isnt particularly common but when multiple snakes are fed in the same enclosure it isnt rare either.

as for the outcome, it can vary, but sometimes the consequences are severe. for example in this situation it isnt uncommon for one snake to actually eat the other snake as well as the mouse and in this case the snake will most likeley regurgitate the snake it swallowed the next day. Lovely!

other times one snake will give up and let go of the mouse and allow the other to eat it and there will be no problems.

it could be either so its important not to risk it and to feed them seperately every time if you can.

I hope this helps,

Andy