how to handle garter snakes

[SpyrotheGartersnake]

okay is it a natural reaction that when u are going to pick up a garter snake they try to run because i've had my garter snakes for five months and every time i try to pick them up they run liked there scared

[Snake lover 3-25]

yeah.... my WC male, Sooty, does that too...... but as soon as i pick him up he's okay.... and so i pick him up fast to avoid him being scared..... but now that i've had him for a few weeks and handled him daily.... mostly to put on his medicin he actually comes to my hand when he smells that it's me..... all of the rest of mine do that also because i handle them sooooo often...... i <3 them

[EdgyExoticReptiles]

depends on the snake, most babies will do that, just keep handling it, but just think about it from their view, your hands would look like talons of a bird or something

okay is it a natural reaction that when u are going to pick up a garter snake they try to run because i've had my garter snakes for five months and every time i try to pick them up they run liked there scared

[dashnu]

I have the same issues, I try to handle them daily but still they are scared. Like Snake lover said they seem to be fine once in my hand. I do get pooped on an awful lot though!

[gregmonsta]

Try to get them in such a way that you don't seem to be grabbing them. Put your hand in and then keep it flat (allow snakey to spazz out) then slowly move your hand towards it. With the nervous ones they'll usually be moving about trying to get away and I try to push my fingers underneath them when they are moving between objects ( ie from branch to waterbowl) when some part of them is in free space and hold/lift them from there. Also, if they are climbing the glass in a corner all you have to do is put one finger either side of them and they'll eventually fall left or right onto your waiting digits. Sneaky ... it works tho

[Stefan-A]

Indeed it works, Greg. Works with my tetra anyway.

[SpyrotheGartersnake]

thanks everyone

[bulrush]

Mr. Burns voice: "Excellent, I say. Excellent."