Red Sided: Questions

[05brandon50]

So in some cases, snakes can be "tamed"?

[ConcinusMan]

They can learn to trust to a point, they can learn to associate you or your hand with food instead of danger but overall, each has it's own attitude and it's not likely to change much beyond the first few months in captivity. Many snakes do not need to be "tamed" since they are naturally docile. Many garters I have caught that were very defensive, striking, musking, etc., come to realize that it's not working within a few minutes or hours and give up. Those snakes can be among the nicest tame snakes. Others persist in being nasty, others, particularly very young snakes seem to calm down as they get older or larger. Male concinnus always seem to stay rather fiesty, even after 10-15 years in captivity while females are sweet as can be a week after catching them. That's been my experience.

[05brandon50]

Oh so maybe through enough tries it MIGHT settle down?

[ConcinusMan]

Can't hurt to try. My point is, no matter how much you work with a hostile snake, It's always going to be a bit hostile. It's not like handling a rattlesnake for example, makes them any nicer. In the end you're just going to have to accept her for who she is. If you want a nice tame snake to handle, get another garter with a better attitude.

I've kept yellow-bellied racers before and ALL of them were hostile as can be. No matter how long I had them, they remained hostile. They can grow accustomed to you but it doesn't usually change their attitude.

Think of it this way: Think of a type of music that you just can't stand. I mean, you hate it. Does playing it over and over make you like it any more? You may learn to tolerate it, but you still don't like it.

[guidofatherof5]

So in some cases, snakes can be "tamed"?

Can't hurt to try. My point is, no matter how much you work with a hostile snake, It's always going to be a bit hostile. It's not like handling a rattlesnake for example, makes them any nicer. In the end you're just going to have to accept her for who she is. If you want a nice tame snake to handle, get another garter with a better attitude.

I've kept yellow-bellied racers before and ALL of them were hostile as can be. No matter how long I had them, they remained hostile. They can grow accustomed to you but it doesn't usually change their attitude.

Think of it this way: Think of a type of music that you just can't stand. I mean, you hate it. Does playing it over and over make you like it any more? You may learn to tolerate it, but you still don't like it.

I have found that the more hostile snakes need a different handling procedure. Getting them to accept you comes at their speed. For some it can take a long time but the payoff has always been worth the effort. Some of the nicest snakes I've ever had were once those hostile snakes. I think it is well worth the time and effort invested. I have had plenty of hostile/scared/nervous snakes turn into pleasant/calm/docile snakes and never show any signs of the latter.
Maybe I've just been lucky but for the Thamnophis I've worked with it has always turned out good, really good.
Keep working with that snake Brandon. Be patient and thing should turn out good.

[05brandon50]

Oh ok but i get what youre saying and either way i still like her a lot. And idk if it makes a difference but its not really hostile but more skittish, but im guessing its the same difference. I'll keep making attemps but if she never calms down, thats ok because i still love her and i can always handle my corn

[guidofatherof5]

Oh ok but i get what youre saying and either way i still like her a lot. And idk if it makes a difference but its not really hostile but more skittish, but im guessing its the same difference. I'll keep making attemps but if she never calms down, thats ok because i still love her and i can always handle my corn

There is a big difference between hostile and skittish. Both can be overcome. Skittish is the easier of the two.
Best of luck, Keep us posted on your progress.

[ConcinusMan]

I'll have to agree with steve on that last post. I think I mentioned it before but it might help if your snake was not in a high traffic area, or if you used a "curtain" of some sort to give him privacy. When he does have to see a human, have that human always come with food. It will take time and consistency but he'll learn to associate the "traffic" or people approaching, with food and perhaps that will help with building trust and he will come to think of you as a provider, not a monster.

Forcefully handling a skittish snake when he is obviously fighting it is not a good way to go about it. It only causes the snake to distrust you and avoid you because he will associate humans with the unpleasant experience.

Get the snake to associate you or your hand with food first. You'll know when he gets it. He'll come out of his hide to greet you when he's hungry. After that, it's best to only handle the snake first thing in the morning when he's very cool.(if you turn off heat at night. I recommend you do that) He'll be calmer then and learn to associate your handling with warmth. Again, that is a pleasant thing for a snake, not a negative thing.

[05brandon50]

Oh ok, those are some great thoughts! Currently i have it near all my other reptiles and that place is like i said, near the kitchen so people go by a lot but im the only one who actually sits and watches it. But ok ill tryvthe hand-food relationship and ill try the morning handling

[05brandon50]

Ok so when i tried to change the substrate today, i got the snake out and it went CRAZY and it pooped lol. Is this natural and can it be helped so it doesnt happen as often cuz that was nasty haha