Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I don't house any of my snakes together, and in fact don't even own any garters, but I have noticed several different attitudes about housing snakes together. For example, I mostly pay attention to the rat and corn snake boards, and there are some on those boards who are 0 against housing snakes together for a laundry list of reasons. I've noticed - not on this particular board, but just in general - garter enthusiasts tend to be less serious about it. For example, the person who runs this site http://www.gartersnake.co.uk/ sounds extremely knowledgable, and even lists the various reasons for not housing snakes together, though he does so himself. I was wondering how you guys feel about this. Also, I was curious as to whether there is a reason that garter enthusiasts seem more laid back about group housing. The person who runs the above listed site claims that they are often found together in the wild, and this is one of his reasons. At any rate, what do you think?

What I think is...The same sets of issues exist, making group housing the less desirable choice for garters as well. Can it be done? Of course. People do it all the time. Unfortunately, group housing is best done as a carefully, well-thought-out venture which requires extra vigilance preferebly by an experienced herper. And I think that group housing is often done by the novice who wants more animals but does not want to deal with the reality of additional cage space.

Are garter enthusiasts more laid-back on this issue and why? I think that the garter is a common beginner snake, partly because they are easy to "go out and catch" ... and I think the above comment regarding novices will often apply in this situation.

I have 2 garters (in two tanks) and 11 other snakes (in 10 other tanks). Which means I am currently housing 2 snakes together. 2 female corns of the same size and with a history of good health, etc. The minute even one of them pukes up a single meal... I will go back to 13 snakes in 13 cages. Duffy