Missing scales?

[guidofatherof5]

Your words actually encouraged me and I just went in there and held him for about five minutes haha. He did a thorough smelling of my hand lol.

Are wild caught garters known to carry any diseases dangerous to humans?

Great question.
Salmonellae is always a threat. Coming in contact with fecal matter is a big transmission point.
I'm sure there are other possible problems but this seems to be the most talked about.
Salmonella - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

[Hankj]

Hahah oh great, hope my mom doesn't read this ; )

[guidofatherof5]

Hahah oh great, hope my mom doesn't read this ; )

In all my years of keeping snake/reptiles, I've never heard of a person being sickened by one of their animals. I'm sure it happens but nothing I know about.
Standard precautions should be enough. Gloves and a full bio suit with respirator.
Just kidding. Wash your hands between handling's.

[kibakiba]

I've gotten sick a few times from handling a snake, but it wasn't that bad. It was around the time I had Malady, too.
Garter bites don't really hurt unless you're allergic to their saliva, a lot of people don't seem to be though.

[ConcinusMan]

I'd say the risk of getting sickened by salmonella from handling your snakes, is less than the risk you take whenever you eat raw food such as salad.

What Steve said. Just wash your hands after handling them. This goes for any snakes or other animals, wild caught or otherwise.

I went out and handled wild snakes all the time as a kid, came home smelling of musk. I didn't always wash my hands right away or correctly. I'm happy to say, I was never sickened by anything that could come from them.

[EasternGirl]

Well, first of all, I want to tell Hankj that I completely understand where you are coming from... I used a glove the first couple of times I held Selena too. I just didn't have any expereince with wild snakes and was afraid of being bit too. Now I hold her all the time with the knowledge that she could bite me if she wanted to...but she never has.

Second...oh great....if there is a weird illness within a 30 mile radius, I will get it. I mean, I have had my share of illnesses. If there is a cold going around at my son's school, I'll get a horrid stomach virus and end up in the hospital. I actually had salmonella once...but not from a snake. I guess I need to be careful...of course, I eat sushi everynight too...for me that is probably playing with fire, but it's worth it...so is holding my snake!

[Hankj]

I wouldn't imagine it would hurt to bad I just didn't like the idea. Like when a cat walks on me I just know it could scratch me and I get anxious lol.

When I would pick the snake up to move it he would try to curl up and I thought he was going for a bite but I've learned he's just trying to get support on my hand haha

[ConcinusMan]

It seriously doesn't hurt, even if it happens to draw blood. It's more of a psychological thing. It surprises you, and you'll even say "ow!" but in reality, it doesn't hurt one bit.

I had salmonella once too. Bad potato salad. Worst sickness I've ever been through. Even worse than the time I had hepatitis. The illness from salmonella was intense and horrible, but thankfully it didn't last long. I felt fine 2 days later. But seriously, the odds of getting it from your snake is very slim, unless you let your snakes crawl and poop in your food.

[Hankj]

Lmao you are a crazy man. Very open and adventurous. Thank you for all your help.

[EasternGirl]

Try meningitis sometime...it's a hoot. Yeah, food poisoning is no fun. I've had it twice and ended up in the hospital both times. Feels like you want to die. I got it from seafood for my birthday this year...best birthday ever!

I'm not really afraid of Selena biting me anymore..I figure, if it happens, it happens. She has never even attempted any sign of aggression.

Hankj, it sounds like you are doing well with your snake. Selena still just tries to get away when I hold her. I guess when I am complaining about her being antisocial though..I should just be happy that she isn't agressive at all. Does your snake have a name yet?