Lonely Garters?

[ravgez]

This thought just popped up in my head, do garters ever get lonely? Was just wondering if they are animals that are fine being solo or prefer being near others. I was thinking of maybe getting a roommate for my little garter once i really get everything really down with caring for this one first. If not then maybe ill just keep this one alone. It just looks so lonely in solitary confinement. Sorry if my questions may seem stupid, just curious!

[guidofatherof5]

Not a stupid question at all.
Lonely might not be the right word. I think that is some of it but more so it's less stress on them when they have a roomy.
They feel more comfort when they are with others. Safety in numbers kind of thing.

[d_virginiana]

I think it's kind of like it is with goldfish. If they have a buddy, they usually appreciate it, but their quality of life isn't really diminished by being alone either.

[AngelOtter]

They do live in groups in the wild, they hybernate in them, but they also live alone during the warmer months, so I suppose either way is natural.

[thamneil]

Wouldn't say they are social or gregarious. More so tolerant of their own kind. They are not found together in the wild due to social structure but because of favourable habitat and hibernacula.

[Lisa4john]

Sammi has definitely been more droopy since she is alone. Not as social with us, hiding a lot more, if I didn't know better I'd think she was depressed. I'm hoping to have a roomy for her asap. She finally shed yesterday so she is growing, slowly. Eventually I'm hoping to have her in with the Radix girls.

[d_virginiana]

Wouldn't say they are social or gregarious. More so tolerant of their own kind. They are not found together in the wild due to social structure but because of favourable habitat and hibernacula.

I wouldn't say they have a 'social structure' per se, but I think it's more than just sharing good habitat. I think there's also a sort of safety in numbers mentality. Like how shy garters in captivity will sometimes be more likely to eat if they see a braver cage-mate come out and start eating first.

[Stefan-A]

This thought just popped up in my head, do garters ever get lonely?

Only in the spring and even then, "loneliness" is a euphemism.

Was just wondering if they are animals that are fine being solo or prefer being near others.

They're fine being alone. They're indifferent when they're not alone.

Sorry if my questions may seem stupid, just curious!

Curiosity is good.

[Thamnophis]

In the wild, the number of garter snakes that can be found on one location, is not dependent on how social they are, but how much food there is available.
The only "social" event they know is when they seek a partner for reproduction-reasons (Hi babe, do you come here often? Let's copulate! Was it as good for you as it was for me? Ok, I'm gone now...) and when they are "forced" to use the same place to brumate.

[guidofatherof5]

In the wild, the number of garter snakes that can be found on one location, is not dependent on how social they are, but how much food there is available.
The only "social" event they know is when they seek a partner for reproduction-reasons (Hi babe, do you come here often? Let's copulate! Was it as good for you as it was for me? Ok, I'm gone now...) and when they are "forced" to use the same place to brumate.

This is good stuff. I gotta write this down.