For me the keeping of garter snakes is not only a joy but it's also very therapeutic. Whether it's working with a group of adults or a group of newborns. The feeding and handling is calming and a pleasure. To watch these wild animals learn to trust and eventually seem to enjoy the interaction is satisfying.
I spent this afternoon feeding babies. The two groups of 30 where amazing. Most waited to be fed but they also did some free-feeding.
There wasn't a single food fight as the process was easy. I've got a few shy ones in these groups and they still don't want to get too close to me. For those snakes food is delivered. They stick their head out of the hide for a bite. Then I have the ones who refused to eat from the dish as long as I am there. They come up to me, resting their heads on my arm. Then they wait patiently for me to deliver a few worm chunks. I know most of these snakes very well and recognize their individual attitudes.
I'm sure they don't know how much good I am getting from them.