Natrix question

[RedSidedSPR]

Was talking to someone about it, and now i'm wondering, can "grass snakes" live with garters? Is their care similar enough?

[Bart]

Probably they can. As far as I know, they have similiar care conditions and food supply. But I'm talking about Natrix natrix only. And they get bigger than regular garter, so you have to be careful.

[Stefan-A]

I have literature claiming that Natrix natrix may eat other snakes on occasion, but that has been in a very small minority of works dealing with their diet, so I'd probably disregard it.

[infernalis]

Why would you want to Jesse?

Another tank/viv is not that expensive.

Personally, My Natrix will be living without any garters in their tank.

[kibakiba]

Space seems like it would be more of a problem, not the cost.

[infernalis]

If space is an issue, then perhaps simply not expanding the collection would be a more sensible option.

[aSnakeLovinBabe]

what's the difference whether they are cohabbed with garters or with other natrix? Whether the cage has 3 garters or 2 garters and 1 natrix....Either way you are still co-habbing snakes... so the point of adding another viv or not adding another viv is an invalid point unless you are going to separate EVERY single one of your snakes into a separate enclosure. They have the same care requirements so I see no reason not to as long as there is adequate space for everyone... I have kept baby natrix and thamnophis together in small groups, just as I have kept small groups of nerodia and thamnophis. Both natrix natrix and natrix tesselata. Not for space reasons seeing as over a third of my snakeroom is currently empty tubs and cages....but for reasons of "monkey see, monkey do" (we all know how these snakes see another eating and get "jealous" and it WORKS) Same habits, same feeding regimen.... it's incredible how similar they are when they are from two entirely separate continents. baby natrix can be downright shy at first though and take a bit longer to gain confidence. Being with a few confident young thams seemed to take that away much quicker. The main difference is that natrix get bigger so in the long run.... they will need to be kept separately from the garters. My year old natrix male is a downright beast of a snake and has lost that baby natrix shyness that they tend to have... he smooshes his little face up against his tub (he lives alone) when I walk into the room and opens his mouth and smears his tongue and saliva onto the wall!! That's how much of a beggar he is! I really look forward to when all of my others are doing that!

[katach]

I had the same question Jesse. Thanks for the answers Shannon! I am going to get one in the spring. A male named Kiff.

[d_virginiana]

Well, from the pics and videos I've seen of Jesse's snakes, any natrix living with them will end up being the most confident, obnoxious snake around. lol

I love the 'group mentality' that garters tend to have. Even though they're in separate tanks, Harley will refuse food, but then when I go to give it to Houdini she starts begging, since she can see him getting it. They're worse than my dogs about getting jealous over food! Well.. They would be if they could bark.

[kibakiba]

My year old natrix male is a downright beast of a snake and has lost that baby natrix shyness that they tend to have... he smooshes his little face up against his tub (he lives alone) when I walk into the room and opens his mouth and smears his tongue and saliva onto the wall!! That's how much of a beggar he is! I really look forward to when all of my others are doing that!

Snakey does that when he sees me walking past the tank to grab something! It's so cute.