Well THAT didn't go well...

[lauwersp]

poor lil new snake...

I know I've only had her since Tuesday, but she's seemed pretty relaxed in the tank and my niece and nephew (7 and 3) get here today... so I decided to take her out and hold her for a bit.

She was sitting atop the rock, which meant she was right by the screen. I thought she'd get a little spooked by my taking the screen off... nope... cool as a cuke.

Picked her up... she was fine, although less calm then my male, which meant she was moving quickly in my hands. Not wanting to grip her too hard and also not wanting to make movements that were too quick she had the opportunity to hop right onto the desk... she then quickly tumbled to the floor and took off... it's really not THAT much of an issue... I quietly followed her... when I went to pick her up, she bolted for behind the desk... ugh...

Well she didn't stay there but a second or two... she quickly poked her head back out covered in spider webs. I stayed still until she ventured completely out and headed for the door... which was closed mostly. I don't THINK she could have gone under it, but if she had I would have had a much more difficult time getting her. So I quickly went to pick her up... she did an about turn as I grabbed her... and was wriggling pretty intently... poor thing was freaked out... so... she musked me again...

I then took her and sat with her in my hands. Her head was covered in web and i tried to gently brush it off... she didn't like that either. After I got the web off I put her back...

Great way to make a good first impression Peter...

At least they seem to like each other. They are curled up together at the top of the rock again. When I come close to the tank she takes off...

Anyway... I know it'll be fine... she'll get over it...

On another note, they both ignored the silversides i put in there in a little dish. Had to finally throw them out. That was a day or two ago... I'll try again tomorrow. SOMEBODY has to be getting hungry.

[guidofatherof5]

Peter,
It sounds like the chase was on around your place.
You would be amazed at how long they can go without food.
Any chance you can get some guppies? Movement usually triggers an eating response. Earthworms and night crawlers do a good bit of moving also.
Keep us posted on your progress.
I love the look on their faces. Not happy at all with you.

[lauwersp]

chuckle... SHE'S especially unhappy with me.

I was feeding him guppies... and he loves them. Unfortunately even though I was putting silversides IN with the guppies, he wasn't havin it. My next plan was to wait a couple weeks and then ONLY offer him silversides. She just got thrown in with that plan as I just got her Tuesday. I might as well only go through this once.

Oh yea... he also now sometimes does this thing where his head quivers when he sees her... he did it from the moment he saw her in the traveling container. In fact, it was interesting... when I brought her home, i set the traveling container, which is clear, next to the tank. He immediately moved to the bottom front of the tank right next to her... and his head was totally trained on hers... if she moved, his head followed her head... and he began to quiver...

I'm guessing it's the natural male instinct around a female, but y'all know better than I...

Hope everyone's having a good weekend.

[guidofatherof5]

You're there so I think you know better. Garters are very social, seeming to hangout together.
I had a similar reaction to a female(human) once. Before I knew it I was married with 5 children.

[mustang]

You're there so I think you know better. Garters are very social, seeming to hangout together.
I had a similar reaction to a female(human) once. Before I knew it I was married with 5 children.

thanks for the heads up steve ill be prepared...

ittl take a while b4 they can accept handling some what graciously

[ConcinusMan]

Cool. The head twitching is a form of communication. He's probably saying "hey baby, want a date?"

As far as the quivering goes, she's probably putting out pheromones that are telling him she's ready to mate. That always makes the male very interested, and makes him quiver a bit, and follow her. Under normal circumstances males aren't really all that interested in females but she's probably "advertising" to him with pheromones.

[lauwersp]

Well that's very interesting... although as much as they lounge, I'm not sure they've done... well... you know... Be great if they did thou...

They really are much cuter together then I ever expected them to be...

[kibakiba]

Those are some cute little snakes!
My male used to do the quivers, but it was when no females were around. He just.. did it haha. It was usually when I was holding him or near his tank.

I find that my male is REALLY calm compared to my female, but I held him a lot more and owned him for 11 months longer than Mama She's calming down though, but doesn't like being held much. Hopefully yours will calm down more for you soon!

[lauwersp]

Well after what I did to her this morning, I don't blame her trepidation at this point. She'll learn that I a good guy, though, so I know she'll come around. I just felt bad about the stress for her...

They really are cute... just chillin and hangin together... I keep takin pictures

[Mommy2many]

My tank has alot of tail "twitching" going on and alot of "tail holding". That's when they are really interested!!!