Eastern Handling

[Brunok9]

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]

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?

[Sid]

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]

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!!!!! 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!!!

[anji1971]

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]

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]

welcome to the forum, Ashley
congrats to your new pet
can't wait to see photos

[Zephyr]

With my experience with easterns, handling helps, but if they associate your smell/you with food, then they'll tame up even better.

[KITKAT]

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]

My wild easterns take random "blows" at food, but my CB babies casually open their mouths and suck it in. LOL