Page 1 of 4 123 ... LastLast
Results 1 to 10 of 35

Hybrid View

  1. #1
    Thamnophis inspectus Zephyr's Avatar
    Join Date
    Dec 2007
    Location
    Dearborn, Michigan
    Posts
    2,539
    Country: United States

    Multi-species housing...

    What do you guys feel on multi-species housing?
    I've kept similar species of plated lizards together with no problems, and they belong to the same genus. Does that mean you could keep Thamnophis garters if they are similar in feeding and behavior habits? Aside from the fact that you could have two cross-breed or cannibalize (which you would have the risk of with multi-snake housing anyways), I don't see anything else wrong with it...

  2. #2
    Forum Moderator Stefan-A's Avatar
    Join Date
    Oct 2006
    Location
    Southern Finland
    Posts
    12,389
    Country: Finland

    Re: Multi-species housing...

    I'm not entirely against it, as long they have the same requirements and don't cause each other stress or physical harm.

  3. #3
    Mountaineer Elliot's Avatar
    Join Date
    Nov 2006
    Location
    Missouri City, TX
    Posts
    1,211
    Country: United States

    Re: Multi-species housing...

    I don't see a problem with it as long as all of their needs are met. A good example of species that would go together well would be maritime and eastern garters since they are almost the same thing.
    1.1.1 T.p.orarius Gulf Coast Ribbon
    1.0 T.e.vagrans Wandering Garter

    Shine on you crazy diamond

  4. #4
    Thamnophis inspectus Zephyr's Avatar
    Join Date
    Dec 2007
    Location
    Dearborn, Michigan
    Posts
    2,539
    Country: United States

    Re: Multi-species housing...

    BTW, overall, I prefer multi-snake housing for garters. They're VERY social.

  5. #5
    Moderator adamanteus's Avatar
    Join Date
    Feb 2007
    Location
    Cheshire. (Near Manchester).
    Posts
    10,633
    Country: United Kingdom

    Re: Multi-species housing...

    I don't see a problem with multi-species housing if, as Stefan says, the requirements are the same and the snakes are of similar size. Although personally I never do it, I couldn't really say why, I just don't. All my species and sub-species are housed separately from each other.

    I don't think it's true to say Garters are very social, or even at all social. They brumate en-masse and form breeding aggregations, but then they lead solitary lives, as other snakes do.
    James.

  6. #6
    Never shed hissy100's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jul 2007
    Location
    Western Washington State
    Posts
    43
    Country: United States

    Re: Multi-species housing...

    Quote Originally Posted by adamanteus View Post
    I don't see a problem with multi-species housing if, as Stefan says, the requirements are the same and the snakes are of similar size. Although personally I never do it, I couldn't really say why, I just don't. All my species and sub-species are housed separately from each other.

    I don't think it's true to say Garters are very social, or even at all social. They brumate en-masse and form breeding aggregations, but then they lead solitary lives, as other snakes do.
    Wrong, i have a pack (I don't kno what the right word for a group of snakes is) of T. Ordinoides in my garden about 7 or so, and their always basking together in the spring
    I own two Northwestern Garters (T. ordinoides)
    One's got white stripes (name: White Lightning) and the other has yellow(Yellow Lightning)



  7. #7
    Thamnophis inspectus Zephyr's Avatar
    Join Date
    Dec 2007
    Location
    Dearborn, Michigan
    Posts
    2,539
    Country: United States

    Re: Multi-species housing...

    Actually, there I have to disagree with you. Often when I go searching for garters here in MI, I either find them basking together, a few feet away, or huddled curled up under the same long when there was plenty more space underneath. Once I was looking for snakes on a rainy July day and went to grab for what I thought was one snakes, but was actually a trio consisting of 2 females and a male!

  8. #8
    Thamnophis inspectus Zephyr's Avatar
    Join Date
    Dec 2007
    Location
    Dearborn, Michigan
    Posts
    2,539
    Country: United States

    Re: Multi-species housing...

    Perhaps it's just T. s. sirtalis that does this, as this is the only snake I've had this experience with... Actually, I have found northern water snakes together as well, but this was probably because it was their only safe basking spot...

  9. #9
    Moderator adamanteus's Avatar
    Join Date
    Feb 2007
    Location
    Cheshire. (Near Manchester).
    Posts
    10,633
    Country: United Kingdom

    Re: Multi-species housing...

    I know it sounds as though I'm 'splitting hairs', and I apologise for that.... but they are only found together in such situations because the 'spot' is suitable for whatever reason. This doesn't illustrate any form of social interplay between individuals. They don't care if they're alone or there's another snake there. They just both found a good spot to bask/hide/feed or whatever.
    James.

  10. #10
    thamnophis puniceus Lori P's Avatar
    Join Date
    Sep 2007
    Location
    VA
    Posts
    3,704
    Country: United States

    Re: Multi-species housing...

    You really think so? Do you think they don't get some sort of comfort from a companion? And I'm also not arguing, just seriously asking. But I always assume all animals crave companionship. It's sad to think that my two garters and two balls aren't really "cuddling" but just taking up the same space... don't you think they enjoy the touch of their own kind??
    Lori, New Hope Rescue-- rescuing equines and others
    www.newhoperescueva.com

Similar Threads

  1. Thamnophis species question
    By Chris in forum General Talk
    Replies: 6
    Last Post: 06-30-2022, 03:19 PM
  2. What Species?
    By Gyre in forum General Talk
    Replies: 7
    Last Post: 02-21-2007, 09:24 AM
  3. What species is my garter?
    By Lee in forum General Talk
    Replies: 4
    Last Post: 02-16-2007, 12:03 AM
  4. any idea what species this is...
    By nessy in forum General Talk
    Replies: 4
    Last Post: 09-01-2006, 12:45 PM
  5. what species do you think this is?
    By Hilde in forum General Talk
    Replies: 4
    Last Post: 08-29-2006, 05:04 PM

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •