This may have been covered before (heck, this may have been covered last week for all my memory is worth lately, lol) so if it has, forgive me.

I've been wondering if garters living in a group form a hierarchy of any sorts? For example, in my garter tank it seems to me that Mordecai rules the day. The others move out of her way. (She HAS to be a female, she's so huge. I know, I know, get pics up here.) Often when she is cruising the tank, the others stop and let her pass. Does that have meaning? Are they defering to her? I just saw her slide across the front of the tank, and Reed withdrew out of her way. Is she the queen of their little colony?

Also, at what age are they sexually mature? I want to know how long I can safely leave her in with her boys before moving her to her own home. She's not quite a year old. Don't want any "mistakes".

THANKS!!!!