Scenting

[EasternGirl]

To keep the humidity up you want to take a spray bottle with water in it and mist the inside of his tank lightly a couple of times a day. Aim for the plants in his tank...because it is important that you do not get his substrate too damp. Keep a towel covering about 1/2 to 3/4 of the top of the tank lid to limit air circulation in the tank. All of this will increase the humidity. If he is getting ready to shed...that could explain him wanting to be left alone and being more jumpy, reclusive, etc. Garters do not like to be handled...they want to be left alone before a shed. It is when they are most vunerable to prey in the wild.

Jodi...do not worry too much about him being skiddish at this point. It takes time for garters to adjust to a new home. Some can be very skiddish at first. After he sheds, I would try taking him out a little each day and getting him used to you. Just hold him for a couple of minutes and then put him back. I would also try to feed him again, after his shed. He will come around. You aren't doing anything wrong...he just needs time. Don't worry...we're here and we'll keep helping you.

[JodiLeigh]

To keep the humidity up you want to take a spray bottle with water in it and mist the inside of his tank lightly a couple of times a day. Aim for the plants in his tank...because it is important that you do not get his substrate too damp. Keep a towel covering about 1/2 to 3/4 of the top of the tank lid to limit air circulation in the tank. All of this will increase the humidity. If he is getting ready to shed...that could explain him wanting to be left alone and being more jumpy, reclusive, etc. Garters do not like to be handled...they want to be left alone before a shed. It is when they are most vunerable to prey in the wild.

Jodi...do not worry too much about him being skiddish at this point. It takes time for garters to adjust to a new home. Some can be very skiddish at first. After he sheds, I would try taking him out a little each day and getting him used to you. Just hold him for a couple of minutes and then put him back. I would also try to feed him again, after his shed. He will come around. You aren't doing anything wrong...he just needs time. Don't worry...we're here and we'll keep helping you.

Ok thank you!

I have sprayed the plants and refreshed the moss and water, covered the cool half with a towel and moved the heat lamp as far to the right as possible so it doesn't dry out the plants straight away.

And thank you for the reassurance, I just worry because I've never had a snake before.

=]