Eastern Handling

[Stefan-A]

Welcome aboard, Ashley.

[anji1971]

I feed all my snakes by hand, and my Eastern definitely has the most aggressive feeding response -- she tried to eat my dishcloth the other night because I moved my finger next to it!!
But as far as general handling goes, I find the more often you handle them, the more calm they become.

[Odie]

Hi, from Oregon, Ashley
Your new snake will quickly become used to you / his new environment.
Garters settle in very well and just needs a few days or weeks

[Brunok9]

Sorry for the long delay, been busy.

But my snake has seem like it has calmed down, but it still is finicky about handling. He/She hasn't tried to bite me since I first caught her, though, so that's good. I still don't know who to calm it though, it seems really stressed when I go to handle it.

Also, are these curious snakes? After school I occasionally read by it and it always comes up, rises like a cobra, and watches me. I'm not sure if it is scared or what..

[Brunok9]

Sorry for the late reply, I have been very busy.

All of this adivice has been greatly appreciated. However, I still have a few questions.
My snake has been getting used to my prescence, however, the snake doesn't seem to like me trying to handle it, and seems stressed when I attempt to do so. Is there a way to get him used to me?

Another question, having noting to do with this topic but its important, do I have to feed the snakles pinkies or will fish/earthworms be fine.

[Brunok9]

Sorry for the lack of reply, i've been busy.

My snake seems to be getting used to me and my presence, but he still seems very stressed when I handle him. Is there a way I can get him to tolerate handling without the stress?

Also, an unrealted question, does a diet of fish/worms work for a snake? Has anyone ever tried slugs or declawed crawfish? I'm just wondering what they eat in the wild, and trying to recreate it. I doesn't seem anyone really knows much about their lives in the wild.

Thanks for all replies!

[Snake lover 3-25]

okay... you can feed it fish and earthworms but NOT goldfish or minnows... also someone on this site did a study and it showed that snakes that are held often grow bigger and eat better... so if you handle it as much as possible it will get used to you... i hold mine for a few hours a day while doing homework or watching tv... but mine are very calm and so it is easy for me to do... they are very curious and in my opinion like to be around people and or other snakes... i try to feed mine the most varied diet possible... i feed mine each four approprietly sized mice, and then fill them up with fish and worms... i feed them 2x a week... i also throw in a few toads here and there but after they have eaten toads it is hard to switch them back to eating regular things.... they eat worms toads fish tadpoles frogs and many other easy to find things in the wild... but sometimes these foods can give them parisites and or cause other problems... GOOD LUCK!!!!!
BTW WELCOME!!!!

[EdgyExoticReptiles]

I feed mine a diet of 85% salmon calcium or vitamin dusted and 15% pinkie diet

[Elliot]

mine each four approprietly sized mice, and then fill them up with fish and worms... i feed them 2x a week... i

If you mean 4 mice twice a week that is way too much food. A mouse or two and a couple fish and an earthworm once a week would probably be enough.

[ssssnakeluvr]

they don't eat crawfish... I've had snakes grow bigjust fine without handling. some snakes will never warm up to you and some are great right off.