Females vs Males

[guidofatherof5]

Today, I had the pleasure of feeding some of my radix groups. I first started with a group of adult females. I opened the enclosure and was greeted by a number of them. I offered a pinky to each and they took them. Most of the females now exited the hide and made their way to my location. There was a little jocking for position but for the most part it was orderly. I kept the pinkies flowing and there was very little thievery. I took a couple nips on the hand from some who wanted fed. I was able to reach in and touch almost all of them while they ate. Some who had finished and were full made their way up my arm and rested on my shoulder and in the hood of my sweatshirt.
Many of them came over and rubbed their faces on my arm. They were very appreciate of the food. I love my girls. They are so much fun to be around.

Next, I went to the breeder male enclosure. I opened it up and a male named Patch came right out of the hide. He rushed towards me and grabbed the pinky from my hand and headed to the back of the enclosure. This movement must have set off an alarm as most(approx.12) of the male rushed out in hot pursuit of Patch. A small number of them made a break for the open door. From both sides they were trying to get out. At the same time the others where pressing me for food. There was tail slapping and musk slinging going on all over the enclosure.. Some had discovered the paper towel full of pinkies and were stealing at will. At one point four males hit the floor as I was busy feeding and breaking up fights. I grabbed all four and put them back. Now, the smell of musk hung heavily in the room and all over me. This scenario repeated itself many times over before they settled down. One small male would go from one side to the other trying to get out. I finally warned him that he would be removed to another enclosure if he persisted in this behavior. He didn't heed my warning and I removed him to the timeout enclosure I love my boys. They are so much fun to be around.

In closing all I can say is, as for radixes their is a big difference in attitudes and demeanor. Granted, I have some males that are calm and some females that are food crazy but as a rule it's the males that can't control themselves. My girls love to be held and enjoy any interaction. My males always seem to be nervous and don't like one on one time. The exception would be Scar(RIP) and Krinkleback. My boys are great but must be approached and handled in a different way.

[Snakeknot]

So you don't feed them in separate containers? I realize that you probably have too many and that would take forever but do you notice any difference in handling them from this? I was always told to feed my snakes in separate containers because you want to make sure they don't ingest any bedding AND you don't want the snake to think its feeding time when its really time to cuddle.

But maybe with garters its different. Please clarify this to me before I get one!

( Although a mess of wigglies rushing to meet you at dinnertime does sound awfully endearing to me! )

Devon

[guidofatherof5]

Devon,
This is just the system I use. Individual results may vary. Read warning label before use. Not actual size. Maybe substituted without notice. Use in well ventilated area. Do not shake. Sorry, I should have posted a warning label with the post
I also have used and continue to use the feed outside the living are a method. You were quick to notice that I do have high numbers and out of necessity group feeding is called for. I do keep containers handy so I can drop individuals in if I want that snake to eat unmolested.
As far as bedding goes, I use a compressed aspen pellet so ingestion is usually not a problem. When the pellet gets wet it simply falls apart into a saw dust material. If a piece were ingested it would pass through the digestive track quite easily. I have never seen any of my snakes(babies or adults) eat this stuff, even during feeding time.
Garter's (speaking of my radixes) seem to recognize food time from social time and adjust very quickly.

[ConcinusMan]

Well steve, I think concinnus and radix are pretty much the same in many of the behaviors you have observed. I get pretty much the same results and differences between males and female concinnus. One difference though, I absolutely cannot do a group feeding without creating a tangled mess of snakes biting each other, and myself! They get into such a frenzy that they'll bite anything in their sight. I'm sure can appreciate the problem with a nearly 4 foot adult garter latching onto you with razor teeth.

[Snakeknot]

Cool! Good to know!

Devon