Questions and a Three part vertical Enclosure?

[Raska]

Going to start by saying I don't of a Garter or Ribbon Snake as of yet. I do have a Ball Python, King Snake (BlkMex), Milk Snake (Nelson), and two Corn Snakes (live together in 30Gal), and I'm looking to buy some Garter Snakes (or capture is you all so say its fine).

First Question: Do Garters live together in communties or just pairs for mating?
Two: I don't have any pictures of my idea yet (will aquire pics/drawings when home), but I have a small thee-drawer vertical bin thingy (brain fart) in my room (I have a snake rack and cages) and I want to convert it to a 'rask' and link the three drawers together by ramps on the tops and bottoms (so they could crawl imbetween.)
Does this already sound like a bad idea or does it seem like something worth looking into more?
Three: What species is best? All have there own attributes and qualities, but I want to hear yo'all. Which are smallest (generally)? Best temperament? Etc?
Four: Anything else I should know? Want to make sure they are happy and healthy so I joined up here.

[guidofatherof5]

Nice to have you on the forum.
He's a link to the care sheet which should answer many general questions.
As always, feel free to ask anything not covered.

#1. I house all my garters in groups. Garters seem to gather together and in my opinion like being together.

#2. I'd have to see this rack system before I could comment on it.

#3.This question will get you many answers as we all have favorites. I put T. radix at the top.

#4. Hang around and read a lot of posts. Do some searches and find some threads of interest.

[Raska]

Thank you! I'm glad I got you why you were logged on!

[drache]

welcome to the forum, Rasca
if you're looking for a smaller species, you might want to look into some of the Mexican species Scott has - they tend to stay smaller
avoid sirtalis females, as those tend to grow large
in most other North American species, the females grow to a bit over three feet, and the males often top out at half that much

[d_virginiana]

Welcome! I'm partial to eastern garters but if you're looking for a small snake, you probably want to get a male. I don't think the males of many species get very large (at least not compared to the females), even though there are some exceptions like wandering garters where both sexes seem to get pretty big compared to most other species.

[kibakiba]

Northwestern garters are quite small. My female is the biggest snake I've ever seen in my area, and she's only 1.5 ft. I find that my northwesterns have a great temperament as long as you respect their space, but I'm sure that is true of most snakes. My male northwestern is 1 ft long and very skinny. He's always curious and moving, while my female likes to lay around and be somewhat lazy

[RedSidedSPR]

welcome.

Not sure of the smallest.. northerwesterns are pretty small.. Males stay MUCH smaller than females. (males averge 20inches, females 3feet)

I like Red Sideds best, but only because that's what i keep (i have 2 of them and 1 eastern)

I don't think any are BEST, i really like Parietalis, Concinnus, Radix... easterns... Those are some of my favs and what i have, and would i like to have eventually.
they're all awesome though. I love them all..

I have noticed differences... idk if anyone else has

Go with what you like. Mostly the look that you like...

And if you're housing together and not breeding, you can get different kinds... i house a eastern with a red sided. You're not restricted to one kind, especially if you have a lot of room (sounds like you will)

I think it's more fun to have multiple snakes in the same cage... i also think it's good for the snakes. They do interact with each other. Mine ALWAYS sleep together.


Good luck with the cage set up. I think it's a cool idea, even though i don't really know what you're talking about.

[Raska]

Thank you everyone!

From what I read I can keep them together of different species?! So the suggestions sound fantastic (might get some of all)!

Everyone's been great, hope to stay with you.

[mb90078]

Thank you everyone!

From what I read I can keep them together of different species?! So the suggestions sound fantastic (might get some of all)!

Everyone's been great, hope to stay with you.

You can if you're positive they are all of the same gender.

(and you don't choose one of the ones that sometimes show cannibalism)

[Mix]

Welcome! I found my atratus (Santa Cruz) garters to have a really lovely temperament - never got bitten by those!

Good luck with what will soon turn into an addiction!