A break through

[guidofatherof5]

My radixes in my big enclosures have been with me since birth, going on 3 years for most. I named one Brownie. She a beautiful brown phase radix. While her sisters have warmed up to me and become like dogs in their spoiled behavior she has stayed much more reserved and to some degree, standoffish. Last week I saw brownie laying in the door channel of her enclosure. I opened it up slowly and reached in to her. She raised her head as I reached in. I proceeded to rub and scratch her back. From her neck down to her tail. I truly expected her to leave as she has done on some many occasions, but I was wrong. After a few minutes she lowered her head and I think went to sleep. I spent about 10 minutes with her and then closed things back up. That evening I opened the enclosure to spend some time with this group. The first snake out to me was Brownie. I had my hands resting right inside the door and she went under my hands and stopped. This was strange as she has never shown a lot of interest in me unless it was feeding time. This wasn't feeding time and I had not handled any food that day. Being the good pet I am I proceeded to rub and scratch her back. After about 5 minutes I picked her up and placed her in the hood of my sweatshirt. To my surprise she stayed there while I did some cage clean up.
Since that occurrence she has repeated come out to see me and climb on me. The stanoffishness is gone and in it's place is a very out going radix, who has lost her startle response towards me. I never thought she would be like so many of her siblings but she proven me wrong. I'm glad I didn't give up on her. Now I've got one more spoiled radix.

[brubru2]

I have three, but not one of them is not afraid of my hand when I reach in the tank to grab them. Is this because they are still babies, or is it possible to tame them at that young of an age?

[gregmonsta]

I think any standoffish snake would crumble under your care Steve. Again a beautiful insight into how much more there is to snakes than most people realise. A true 'pet' response.

I have three, but not one of them is not afraid of my hand when I reach in the tank to grab them. Is this because they are still babies, or is it possible to tame them at that young of an age?

The best thing, as in Steve's example, is to let them come to you. That way it is their choice and they are more likely to be in a relaxed/exploratory frame of mind.

[brubru2]

I believe I have tamed Bebe, my biggest garter.
Even now while I type, she is coiling, and winding about my hand fearlessly.

[guidofatherof5]

There are many things that attract me to garter snakes but getting them to trust and actually come to me is one of the big draws. Some respond quickly to interaction and others take some time.
I have a male named Midnight who refuses to give in to me and relax. I'm still waiting for him to realize every things OK. Midnights not the only one I'm having trouble with. Many of my males are this way. They seem to be less trusting than the females. They are more quickly startled and also are more wary of new things in the enclosure.

[brubru2]

So are mine, they hate it when I add new stuff to the tank. (except, of course for worms and water.)

I have officially tamed both my garters!
Now, I can just wave my hand and both of them will come!

[guidofatherof5]

I have officially tamed both my garters!
Now, I can just wave my hand and both of them will come!

Don't you mean they have officially tamed you
They give us a look and we go running for food for them. They give us that look and we drop everything were doing and pick them up.
They know who running the show and it's not us.

[brubru2]

Good point.

[brubru2]

I just found the escapee!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Odie]

I just found the escapee!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Woot woot woot yea