The garter commune

[Zephyr]

I've currently got my 5 easterns and 3 checkereds living together, and I've seen no problems with the biggest eastern at around 20 inches and the biggest checkered a little over 2 feet. The other two checkereds are around 8 inches. :P
Just make sure if you're feeding them communally that everyone has something in their mouth at the same time, and if they're taking scented items, worms or fish, make sure to get all the smell off them via rinsing.

[anji1971]

Lori, a lot of people keep multiple garters together in larger tanks. Seems to be more a matter of keeping them separate at feeding time, and yes, you would probably want to keep only one sex together in the tank.......unless oodles of garters is your goal!!

Out of curiosity, Kyle,
How big is your enclosure for the 8 snakes? I'm trying to figure out how large a tank I would eventually have to get to keep my snakes together as I collect them. I'm aiming to have 6-8 in the next couple years.

[Zephyr]

Lori, a lot of people keep multiple garters together in larger tanks. Seems to be more a matter of keeping them separate at feeding time, and yes, you would probably want to keep only one sex together in the tank.......unless oodles of garters is your goal!!

Out of curiosity, Kyle,
How big is your enclosure for the 8 snakes? I'm trying to figure out how large a tank I would eventually have to get to keep my snakes together as I collect them. I'm aiming to have 6-8 in the next couple years.

Right now, unfortunately, it's a 20 long. But, it's only until they get their 6 1/2 foot by 44 inch enclosure in the summer, and next year I plan to brumate them thoroughly through the winter and spring until weather arrives to keep them only in the pen.