Diary of a snake (and her girl)...

[EasternGirl]

I have decided to start a diary of my interactions with Selena...since I am a first time snake owner, it could be interesting. I am always noticing little things and getting excited...my family just thinks that I am going insane...but I know that you guys will appreciate what I have to say!

This morning I figured something out...it took me a while, but I can be kind of slow sometimes...lol. I've been noticing that Selena is getting used to me...trying to make up to me. She hears my voice (or senses the vibrations of such) and pops out to look at me...she sees my face and recognizes me and slithers over to get a closer look and then sits and stares at me. However, when I open her enclosure and put my hand in to try to hold her, she freaks out still.

It suddenly occured to me that she does not associate my hands with my face...she doesn't know that it is the same person that belongs to the face and the hands. She recognizes the face, but when she sees the hand coming toward her, she just sees the "big scary white thing" coming at her. Lol! Perhaps she will soon learn the connection...

[guidofatherof5]

You are right, it should be an interesting thread. Glad you started it.
If you are coming into her enclosure from the top she is just protecting herself. Most predators attack from the top.
For this reason I have front opening enclosures. They are so much more relaxed as they can see me coming.
Looking forward to future installments of your diary.

[infernalis]

Ahh the joys of garter snakes....

[EasternGirl]

Well, she let me pick her up for the first time without trying to get away. I was just moving her from her feeding cage back to her home...she of course would not let me hold her for very long. She also let me sit and pet her for a couple of minutes....with her still in her enclosure.

I have noticed she plays little games with me. She likes to bury herself completely and then I will sit there and call to her...and then she pops her little head out. I guess it's her version of "peek-a-boo"...lol.

[ConcinusMan]

Or perhaps it's just that she wants to hide but can't resist the urge to find out what the heck is making all that noise. Garters are like that. Very inquisitive. Always checking things out.

[kibakiba]

That is cute! Mine just lay around and wait for food, with the occasional attempt to get out or my little special baby (Tiny) trying to climb and failing.

[EasternGirl]

Tonight...she let me pet her again. I stuck my face in her enclosure and she inched up to me and held her little head up and let me stroke her back. Of course when I tried to pick her up...she fled for cover...but I think we're getting somewhere.

She did the cutest thing tonight...she buried her entire body in substrate but left her little head popped out and resting on the enclosure. I wanted to take a pic, but if I opened the enclosure, she would have hid her head.

[kibakiba]

Snap and Ember do that too. It's so cute seeing them poking their heads out. My other babies don't do it, though.

[EasternGirl]

Selena has decided that she is uncomfortable in her feeding cage. I have to put it on top of her regular enclosure in order to get her to eat. If I do that, and leave the room....when I come back, her food is gone. Then she wants to go home...so I put her back in her regular enclosure, and she's fat and happy.

[guidofatherof5]

The good thing is she's eating.
Socialization/trust will come in time.
Keep up the good work.