View Full Version : Eastern Handling
Brunok9
04-25-2008, 05:52 PM
Hello, I am Ashley, and new to this forum. So first off, Hello! Secondly, I have a question about my pet garter snake that I have just gotten Sunday.
He is wild, about a 1 1/2 ft or 2 ft or so. I have propery set-up/care/heating so far, but I was wondering, to ease his stress, how do I get him/her 'used' to me? I'm willing to take months if need be, I just want my friend to be comfortable and get the most out of the care I'm providing for him.
Thanks for all help. I've been getting alot of my garter snake questions answered on here, this site has been VERY useful. Actually, a guy named 'count dewclaw' recommended me from talktothefrog. Glad he did.
adamanteus
04-25-2008, 06:06 PM
Hi Ashley, and welcome to the forum.:) I'm glad you're finding it useful.
Your new snake will quickly become used to you, through routine feeding, cleaning, handling etc. Garters settle to captivity very well. You may find he just needs a few days or maybe a week to get used to his new environment.
What species is he?
Hi Ashley and welcome to the forum. Garters do calm down very quickly when handled routinely. Just handle it gently and don't restrain it, allow it to move hand to hand.
Snake lover 3-25
04-25-2008, 06:40 PM
I just caught my first of the year on sunday too!!!! Mine is ok with handling already, he HATES sudden movements and vibrations so try to keep those to a minimum, i used this forum to name him and sex him in fact!!! he ate the first day but he only ate a little. but today oh boy he nailed everything that went in!!!! including his first ever pinky!!!!!:D has yours eaten yet????? from it's size it sounds like a girl.... but no one can be sure until you poste pics!!!!!! i can't wait to see them!!!! but i handle him every day for a while after school and i'm working on geting him uesd to movement and vibration but it shouldn't take long!!!:D
anji1971
04-25-2008, 07:11 PM
Hello and welcome, Ashley!
This is a great forum, and here you'll find answers to just about anything that will help you enjoy your new pet!:)
count dewclaw
04-25-2008, 08:17 PM
Hi Ashley, I'm glad you came to take a look. There are alot of helpful people on this forum.
P.S. I'm actually not a "guy", the name is a family joke...
drache
04-25-2008, 08:44 PM
welcome to the forum, Ashley
congrats to your new pet
can't wait to see photos
Zephyr
04-25-2008, 08:51 PM
With my experience with easterns, handling helps, but if they associate your smell/you with food, then they'll tame up even better.
KITKAT
04-27-2008, 12:35 PM
With my experience with easterns, handling helps, but if they associate your smell/you with food, then they'll tame up even better.
I have been able to teach my easterns to take food directly out of the forceps. Just never feed them with your fingers! LOL!
Zephyr
04-27-2008, 01:10 PM
My wild easterns take random "blows" at food, but my CB babies casually open their mouths and suck it in. LOL
Stefan-A
04-27-2008, 01:14 PM
Welcome aboard, Ashley. :)
anji1971
04-27-2008, 05:19 PM
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.
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 :D
Brunok9
05-03-2008, 07:02 PM
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
05-03-2008, 07:30 PM
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
05-03-2008, 07:34 PM
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. :confused:
Thanks for all replies!
Snake lover 3-25
05-04-2008, 09:59 AM
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... :D:D:D:D GOOD LUCK!!!!!:D
BTW WELCOME!!!!:D
EdgyExoticReptiles
05-04-2008, 10:58 AM
I feed mine a diet of 85% salmon calcium or vitamin dusted and 15% pinkie diet
Elliot
05-04-2008, 11:13 AM
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
05-04-2008, 11:35 AM
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.
Brunok9
05-04-2008, 03:53 PM
Sorry for the triple post, I didn't know admins. had to approve them until the last post, when I didn't use quick post.
He lets me hold him know and has actually calmed down alot since yesterday.
I knew they probably didn't eat crayfish because of the hard ecoskelton, but I wanted to make sure.
Thanks for all info!
EdgyExoticReptiles
05-04-2008, 07:12 PM
i agree 2 mice 1.5x the biggest part of the snakes body a week is plenty, but 8 a week?? way to much
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.
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