Former breeder and been out of it for a long time. My sons (16yo and 19) have voiced interest in having reptiles again. My question, what communal species are there other than garters(seriously considering)? Any info would be greatly appreciated!
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Are you looking for snakes specifically, or are lizards also on the table? For snakes, I’m kind of coming up blank outside of garters. There are several species/localities/morphs of garters to choose from, though. Snakes tend to be pretty solitary creatures, communal snake species are just not that common. I seem to recall seeing something about keeping DeKay’s brown snakes in pairs or trios? But I can’t offer more info on that other than “I think maybe someone has done it,” unfortunately.
Lizards would open up more communal possibilities. Green and brown anoles seem to do well in groups and are very active and fun to observe. Mourning geckos do well in groups (though be prepared for very tiny babies). Sand geckos seem to do well in groups from what I’ve seen of them, and they’re super cute. I know there are other lizard species that can be kept communally, but I’m not really a lizard person. Hopefully someone who is will chime in with some more suggestions.
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If I remember correctly I believe @t_h_wyman, Travis, has now, or has had, some species of snakes he kept communally.
Of course I could be mistaken………
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Garters and Ribbon snakes are a good choice if you want to get into that.
Mourning Geckos are fun too if you want something different than a snake, the only downside is they just don’t stop reproducing and cannot be stopped from reproducing 
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Rattlesnakes
Amazon Tree Boas do well together but feeding must be supervised.
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I forgot ATBs were communal… I should look into that for mine at some point 
been wanting to get more.
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I want to get some so bad….maybe three 
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Mine’s still a jerk after over a year of attempting to socialize
Can only hold him with a glove and hook, otherwise its a guaranteed bite. Maybe getting him a cage mate will help him settle down… 
But that’d need a cage upgrade as well, the current one is only big enough for just him.
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Wow Christina! That’s PTS if I’ve ever seen it!
Poised To Strike! 
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You recall correctly
I keep/have kept numerous species communally:
Rhamphiophs (both oxyrhynchus and rostratus)
Rubber boas
Candoia
Calabar boas
bredli
alterna
As others have mentioned, garters, ribbons, and ATB do well together. Other species I have seen/heard of it being done with (though some of these require higher levels of attention and/or acclimation) include chondros, other carpet python ssp, Malpolon moilensis, rhino rats, Scaphiophis, Pituophis, Nerodia, Ungaliophis, Gonyosoma…
Key things to keep in mind any time you go with communal keeping are:
- Enclosure size
– Whatever cage size you have decided on, go the next size up (as an example, my Rhamphiophis are in a 240cm cage) - Hide availability
– Double your initial thought - Temp gradient access
–Can all the animals comfortably be at the heat source without fighting with one another?
–How about cool access? - Feeding complications
– Are you prepared for the toddler behaviour of ‘I know I have a mouse in my mouth, but I want the mouse in his mouth more so I will drop mine and bite his face’?
– Are you willing to sit and watch to prevent/break up any fights?
– Can you not panic if a fight does happen?
– Are you prepared to physically pry one snake’s mouth off of another if it has lost its mind over food (this is especially important to ask when dealing with potentially significant rear-fanged species like Rhamphiophis and Malpolon where you might end up taking a bite)?
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My mind is not failing yet!
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I’m currently cohabbing young African Cape house snakes. They’re usually pretty great, but definitely get riled up at feeding time. I usually just separate them for feedings and then back in they go after they settle a bit.
I’ve seen someone else cohabbing adults and they seem to be a bit better about not immediately resorting to the toddler behavior Travis mentioned. But still monitor just in case.
For non-snake species I’ve been cohabbing different groups of female leopard geckos for many years. It’s just a matter of being familiar with their stress signs just in case. Some females will never be comfortable so they get separated out to a solo enclosure, but I always have at least 2 that vibe pretty well. Especially when raised from a smaller size to adulthood together and are always around the same size
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Since others are co habbing and talking about it I suppose it’s safe to say I am co habbing as well but not ball pythons. Everyone is eating well and doing famously.
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A lot of it does depend on what and how it’s being cohabbed.
Cape house snakes and leopard geckos have been seen in groups in their native habitats. But I would never suggest it for anything in the single animal recommended enclosure size. Always larger and heavily decorated for multiple hides.
BPs have a couple of places where they have been seen in a group…but it usually involves a human interjection for it. Like offered meals. In most wild areas they’re most often found singularly. Maybe multiple in a easy to climb tree during rainy season flooding.
So yeah… Depending on what’s being cohabbed it could be a fluke or potentially a future problem if they’re okay for now
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