Garter snake disposition

[confused]

did not eat the slug. catch and release program.



no glove no love, shes watching me type this as we speak.

[guidofatherof5]

Very cool about this whole glove situation.

[confused]

No kidding! I am trying to get a good video of her comparing gloves, she did it on video today, but honestly the one on video, its debatable whether its that or running for cover.

No store for one hour sells feeder guppies, just large colored ones.



she couldn't decide what to sleep on for the night...... is everyone else's snake this random? She moves around all night, stays about 3 hours per place.

[confused]

here's another iffy video of her. maybe you guys won't think I'm as nuts about this glove crap if i get a few of them. lol. nevermind, i am nuts. i could see this as defensive or curious in this one.

I'm not doing two voices, though it sounds like it at first! My GF agrees with you that's not a good example, but she also agrees the snake is worried we took her toy away or something!

YouTube - M4H02419

when she hides, she goes for a corner of the log and coils so i can't dig her out.

So how old is she?

[Mommy2many]

Where do you live? As Steve said, you should still be able to find worms right now. Especially if you are on the East Coast, where I am. It'll be warm & rainy today, great worm catching weather!

I also have the guppy problem. NO ONE sells feeder guppies here. I will occasionally use the tuffies for my guys. I think it is the lesser of the 3 evils that are offered. Everyday meals are salmon & earthworms. Pinkies for my larger guys.

Walmart sells nightcrawlers in the sporting/fishing section of the store. You will want the canadian nightcrawlers.

Good luck!

[confused]

Thanks! She won't take nightcrawlers from walmart unfortunately no matter how I scent them...... no idea why. Also, the worms in my yard have moved on. I've been trying to dig one for two weeks, since our first couple of snows. I agree they should be there, but where I was getting huge worms, now there is nothing anywhere. What i thought was a dead mouse stuck to my ventilation for a few days was a bat in hibernation already. It woke up after i ran a few thousand degree kiln under it for an hour or so.

[mustang]

good luck!!!

[confused]

Thanks!

I am not ashamed to admit I am wrong, the worms are out today, it's 70.

I know I sound like I make stuff up, so I present to you for your edification, the 18 inch common earthworm. Note the paper plate for reference.



These things are bigger than my snake. BY A LOT.



Now its time to clean my floor, sigh. (and to see if sushi is hungry for worm)

[confused]

Ha! I was holding her thinking, "she likes me again, she doesn't run at all and lets me grab her, she's eating. It's time to post a happy update, and BAM. She strikes me. lol. No warning, she didn't try to run away after, just a quick taste out of nowhere and back to normal. I did smell different, new soap. Would she musk if it was fear? She musked once the first time i picked her up ever, that's the only time. She ate today too so I don't think she was hungry, but it was a small enough meal I felt comfortable handling her...... maybe that was it. Lord knows with her.

She will eat worms anytime I show them to her. So I started a worm farm from ones I caught, lets hope it works out. I know I need to supplement.... but now I can scent. Oh, her color came back to green blue off the salmon it seems.

I switched gloves on her as a test, the one I was wearing for hers, she won't sleep in it anymore, though she sits on it happily, and she still makes sure hers is there if she sees mine. I switched back tonight to see if she owuld sleep in it again.

Anyone have a snake they would let go that actually likes to be handled? She is making me enjoy having a snake around, but she just only tolerates me. I want one that wants to hang out. I think I am going to post a classified ad looking for a human loving garter.

[guidofatherof5]

How long have you had her? With some it takes longer to settle in. I think patients is the key word here. There's nothing wrong with a snake that has a little attitude. Getting a snake from someone else doesn't guarantee that snake will be docile for you.
I'd start working with her without the glove. Let her get to know your skin and the heat it supplies. Even if you just reach in and touch her as she goes by. It may be a slow process but one that is well worth the effort. Some of them never lose that independent side. They let you know once in awhile that they are still in charge. Nothing wrong with that. I don't have 2 snakes that are exactly the same. They each have things they tolerate and things they don't. They have good and bad days just like us.
I do know that the more time I spend with my snakes the more they trust me. The more at ease they are with me handling them and interupting their days.