Could I introduce a companion?

[toffee]

Oh, I didn't realise they had live births. No, I wouldn't destroy a live snake. Hen keepers will remove and destroy any fertilised eggs that they don't want to hatch, I was just wondering if the same applied to reptiles. Please forgive my ignorance. I will get another male if I do decide to get him a companion.

[Sonya610]

Oh, I didn't realise they had live births. No, I wouldn't destroy a live snake. Hen keepers will remove and destroy any fertilised eggs that they don't want to hatch, I was just wondering if the same applied to reptiles. Please forgive my ignorance. I will get another male if I do decide to get him a companion.

I don't think you would want to do that with many reptile species even if they did lay eggs. Hens can produce eggs day after day, many domestic breeds don't get all that worried about a few missing eggs because they have lost their natural instincts. Some reptiles, like Ball Pythons go through a lot of hormonal changes when they breed, they can start wrapping around water bowls in preparation and when the eggs are laid they fearcily guard them until they hatch; it would be cruel to let the female go through all of that and then steal her precious eggs and throw them in trash.

Grant it BP breeders steal the eggs and hatch them in an incubator, but they put the female through that for a reason, because they WANT the babies.

Regarding your original question, if you want a companion shop around for another male baby, there are lots available this time of year. You may need to separate them during feedings so they don't accidentally bite each other trying to steal food, but generally they get along pretty good (they may be skittish around each other for the first few days). They aren't going to start fighting over territory or some such thing. Many seem to think babies do much better with other little companions, it adds to their sense of security.

[EasternGirl]

What is a TSI...is that a T.s.sirtalis? Sorry, I've never seen that abbreviation before. Like others said...you should stick to putting snakes of the same sex together. I am taking care of 4 babies right now and it takes up a lot of my time...with just 4! Garters can have litters of up to 40 babies.

Chantel...I think you should call my ex and give him the condom/abortion speech! Lol...someone needs to get through to the idiot before he has 10 unwanted children roaming around. Ha ha. I totally agree with what you said though.

[ProXimuS]

What is a TSI...is that a T.s.sirtalis? Sorry, I've never seen that abbreviation before. Like others said...you should stick to putting snakes of the same sex together. I am taking care of 4 babies right now and it takes up a lot of my time...with just 4! Garters can have litters of up to 40 babies.

I do believe she meant Thamnophis sirtalis infernalis. Different abbreviation I guess

Sonya, what kind is she? Is she an infernalis? She looks different to me, veeeery beautiful though!

[Sonya610]

I believe she is sirtalis. Eastern flame? I don't do well with the Latin names. Will say she has a firey temper though, if the concinnus touches her there is high drama and tail flailing, that and she drew blood (from me, not the concinnus) yesterday when I moved her back to the enclosure after feeding her. She has a faint checkered pattern that doesn't show up well due to my old camera (the newer one bought to photograph the snakes now has a "lens error").

[d_virginiana]

I believe she is sirtalis. Eastern flame?

I believe the only species with albino flames is eastern. Could be totally wrong though. Completely random, but yours may be from the same litter as my albino baby; I think he was from the litter that had a 50% chance of being albino flames.