What can I keep with my checkered?

[stan73]

Hi Folks

I have recently bought my first garter snake, shes a female checkered and I have her in a 4'x2'x2'. My intention is to add one or two more other speciies of female garter. I was hoping to get a black necked as I really like the look of them. Is it ok to add a black necked and what other species could I add?
Where can I get them in the UK?

The one I have I bought as an adult and it looks like she hasn't been handled much, she musks and bites quite a bit. Will she get better with handling or will she always be like this now that shes an adult?

Thanks

Stan

[infernalis]

I wouldn't keep a black neck with a Checkered, I wouldn't keep a black neck with anything but another of the same.

[guidofatherof5]

Hello Stan,
Females seem to calm much better/quicker than males. It may take some time if she hasn't been handled much. She has to know she can trust you.
Offering food will get her to recognize you as less of a threat and more as a good thing. Just putting your hand in an letting her come to you will help.
Housing females together shouldn't be a problem if they are about the same size. It also depends on which snakes you want to house together.
Best of luck.

[ssssnakeluvr]

I don't see any problems with housing adult garters of the same general size.

[gregmonsta]

What they said ^^ you won't have any issues as long as the other females are of similar size. Also avoid Thamnophis elegans vagrans, the wandering garter snake as it is a known snakemuncher

I currently group house red-sided, plains and a Gulf coast ribbon in my female group and previously housed checkered with red-sided quite happily.

[stan73]

What they said ^^ you won't have any issues as long as the other females are of similar size. Also avoid Thamnophis elegans vagrans, the wandering garter snake as it is a known snakemuncher

I currently group house red-sided, plains and a Gulf coast ribbon in my female group and previously housed checkered with red-sided quite happily.

So I shouldnt get a blacknecked either then?

[gregmonsta]

So I shouldnt get a blacknecked either then?

I don't see why it would be a problem. Get one ... just remember that you may have difficulty finding an adult of these in Britain and any juvenile would have to be housed separately until big enough.

[infernalis]

Maybe my skittish black necks are an exception.. they spook easily, so I keep them only with other black necks.