Is cage too big?

[snake momma]

So Marilyn and Shirley are currently housed in a 50-55 gallon, plastic tub. It is see-rhrough. I have no hides, heating or plants. I do have newspaper, some sticks to climb and a rock swimming bowl. Is one of them stressed due to size? They are housed together but loce each other, always next to each other and chillin in the pool together Iwill be getting all supplies in 2 days

[CosmicOwl]

So Marilyn and Shirley are currently housed in a 50-55 gallon, plastic tub. It is see-rhrough. I have no hides, heating or plants. I do have newspaper, some sticks to climb and a rock swimming bowl. Is one of them stressed due to size? They are housed together but loce each other, always next to each other and chillin in the pool together Iwill be getting all supplies in 2 days


You need hides, they're a must. Even if you just cut paper towels rolls in half, you should give them something to hide in. And snakes don't love each other; they aren't capable of those kinds of emotions. At best, they might tolerate living together.

[Mikoh4792]

No enclosure is too big.

Small enclosures are better when they are empty, however a big enclosure with lots of cover is better in my opinion.

Don't know much about garter snakes but I think most snakes will appreciate the extra cover if you provide them with hides, logs and such.

[KORBIN5895]

You need hides, they're a must. Even if you just cut paper towels rolls in half, you should give them something to hide in. And snakes don't love each other; they aren't capable of those kinds of emotions. At best, they might tolerate living together.

Actually garters are fairly social.

[CosmicOwl]

Actually garters are fairly social.

Being social doesn't mean they have affection or love for one another. Not to mention, they'll always be in competition for the best spots in the enclosure.

[kwhitlock]

Being social doesn't mean they have affection or love for one another. Not to mention, they'll always be in competition for the best spots in the enclosure.

Just wanna throw out, I've heard of garter snake dens, where there are 10-100's of those guys together.

[Starbuck]

Theyre in the dens because it is a safe space during cold months or for breeding. Many people keep garters together/in groups, if I remember right OP your garters are very different sizes, and the one is mot eating? For those reasons I would separate then (temporarily)and get some cover amd hides in there asap.

[SSSSnakes]

No enclosure is ever to big for any snake if there is hides and cover. Garter snake are found in groups in the wild. I have found many groups of Garter Snakes where there were dozens of Garter Snakes living together in the wildm by choicem in all different times of the year.

[Terranaut]

Agreed , no cage is to big. To open...maybe but as long as you provide enough cover its fine. Nature is rumored to be quite large ;)

[infernalis]

empty kleenex boxes, paper towel tubes, butter dish tops, jar lids, etc.. all make great hides.

[infernalis]

Nature is rumored to be quite large ;)

Sadly, it's getting smaller at an alarming rate...

[KORBIN5895]

Being social doesn't mean they have affection or love for one another. Not to mention, they'll always be in competition for the best spots in the enclosure.

My post was more aimed at you mentioning they will barely tolerate each other.

[CosmicOwl]

My post was more aimed at you mentioning they will barely tolerate each other.

I know. And I know garters are social in the wild. However, that doesn't mean that love each other or want company. Nor does it mean that in captivity, they do anything more than tolerate another snake in the environment.

[Mikoh4792]

I know. And I know garters are social in the wild. However, that doesn't mean that love each other or want company. Nor does it mean that in captivity, they do anything more than tolerate another snake in the environment.

They have warm fuzzy feelings for eachother.

[KORBIN5895]

I know. And I know garters are social in the wild. However, that doesn't mean that love each other or want company. Nor does it mean that in captivity, they do anything more than tolerate another snake in the environment.

If they don't want company why are they so commonly found together in the wild? I'm not saying they have enough thought capacity to feel lonely but they do congregate in the wild when there are plenty of other options.

[Terranaut]

When I was a kid and used to wild catch garters I don't think I ever found just one. If I found one I found a few. Allways within a small area. Like Kevin said I doubt they get lonely but instinct could be as simple as other snakes meaning abundance of food??? Doubt man will ever truly know.

[SSSSnakes]

Doubt man will ever truly know.

And, How many licks does it take to get to the Tootsie Roll center of a Tootsie Pop?

[LiL Zap]

I would definitely add some hides. Also, like the other members have already mentioned, you can find cheap or pretty much free hides anywhere lol.

[Terranaut]

And, How many licks does it take to get to the Tootsie Roll center of a Tootsie Pop?

Exactly!!!

[poison123]

and, how many licks does it take to get to the tootsie roll center of a tootsie pop?

373.......

[bigsnakegirl785]

I know. And I know garters are social in the wild. However, that doesn't mean that love each other or want company. Nor does it mean that in captivity, they do anything more than tolerate another snake in the environment.

Sometimes trouble eaters eat when introduced to others of their kind, or nervous individuals calm down. It's speculated on whether it's because they feel calmer with others, or they're just "picking up on" the other's feeding responses and attitude. I hear both sides from what I've looked into, but it's hard to tell when they can't speak to us.

I can't add anything to what to the others have said, OP. :D But I would take their advice, the smaller the snakes the more cover they'll need. You'll have to experiment to see what's best.