Baby Snakes and Handling?

[05brandon50]

Hey guys!

Question(s):
I recently received my baby red-sided from Scott, (this is her second day with me) and she is already taking bits of fish jello and worm pieces. My question is, how often should I handle my baby snake? I know I am supposed to wait a bit longer for her to de-stress, but when should I begin the process of handling her and gaining her trust? Also, she is probably the size of a nightcrawler so any tips on handling a tiny baby like her (if handling a baby this young is ok).*

Thanks for your thoughts!*
Brandon

[katach]

I would let her settle in for a week or so, just getting in the enclosure to feed and change the water. After that you can start handling. Babies are great, they seem to trust a lot faster. If she seems too jumpy with going straight to holding, you can leave your hand in the enclosure until she comes to investigate. Doing this right before feeding time is helpful also, she will associate you with food. Good luck! Pictures are always welcome too. :)

[ProXimuS]

Actually, pictures are mandatory:D Glad to hear she seems to be settling in!

[05brandon50]

Ok, I will wait to handle the munchkin :P
Here's a few photos of her laying in the plants by the window. Sorry for the glare, I didn't want to freak her out too much by moving the cage or blinds around.

http://i.imgur.com/t5QKk.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/EBLt6.jpg

[ProXimuS]

Aww how pretty! She does look like she is settling in well:)

[05brandon50]

I changed her water just now and got a few more photos :p

Here she's asking why I am disturbing her so early in the morning :p
http://i.imgur.com/IWYjW.jpg

Here's one of her colors :)
http://i.imgur.com/IbQSl.jpg

Enjoy!

[-MARWOLAETH-]

Nice snake.Put some tights over the top of the tank so she can't get to the slats like my one did [and he was bigger].

[gazzamann]

nice !!!!

[kueluck]

Pretty. I do like the red sided :), love the red zipper on the sides.

[kueluck]

Forgot to ask, does she have a name yet?

[kibakiba]

Aww she's just precious.

[05brandon50]

Thank you everyone! :)


Nice snake.Put some tights over the top of the tank so she can't get to the slats like my one did [and he was bigger].

I just bought a pair of white tights and slipped them over the top. Thanks for the tip!



Forgot to ask, does she have a name yet?

I've tossed a few names back and forth, but I've decided on Rita! :p

[infernalis]

Handling babies is stressful to the snake.

[katach]

She is beautiful! Love the name!

[kueluck]

I like the name Rita too.

[Invisible Snake]

Cute baby! With regards to handling I wouldn't handle her for the first few days only when feeding as to reduce the stress from adjusting to her new home. Also be very careful, garter babies are extremely quick, fragile and aren't afraid to leap out of your hands and can fit into tiny crevices.

[05brandon50]

Thanks everyone!

Today when feeding her I tried to follow an idea I saw on Youtube of a guy trying to tame his monitor. I held her food a little higher and made her use my hand as a platform in order to reach the food. It was somewhat successful, but I am determined to get her to trust me slowly but surely! :)

Link to the video: Savannah Monitor Lizard Taming ( building trust) Part 1 - YouTube (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p-V1z8buji4&feature=youtube_gdata_player)

[05brandon50]

Update:

Today I took Rita out of her cage and into my hands for the first time! :) I saw her basking and stuck my hand in just to let her smell me. She was very curious, and after a while of leaving my hand in there with her I just tried to sneak a finger under her. It worked! I lifted her out of her cage and while she was a little fast paced, she didn't bite or even musk at all! She just went through my hands. I only did this for a couple minutes as I did not want her to get too stressed out but so she could start understanding that I'm not going to eat her haha. This is such good news to me as the last garter I had was insanely wild. I'll try again tomorrow before feeding her, and hopefully she keeps being a little sweetheart! ^_^