Felicia climbs into my hand

[d_virginiana]

Welcome!

They can also get used to your smell, and begin to beg for attention the minute you walk into the room. My blind snake always notices when I come home sooner than the one that can see because he smells me

That hummingbird picture is adorable btw.

[PINJOHN]

Welcome from a rain drenched Liverpool

[ConcinusMan]

Do snakes usually come when they are called? Next time we will make a video of it.

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Only if they're used to you feeding them. And then they're being "called" by food. They are generally unresponsive to human speech since their hearing is extremely limited.

Another reason for climbing into your hand could be that the snake is attracted to the heat of your hand. Especially if you're not providing a heat source for their enclosure. (heat source is recommended)

From what you described, it sounds like the snake is cold and sits on your hand for heat.

[d_virginiana]

Only if they're used to you feeding them. And then they're being "called" by food. They are generally unresponsive to human speech since their hearing is extremely limited.

Another reason for climbing into your hand could be that the snake is attracted to the heat of your hand. Especially if you're not providing a heat source for their enclosure. (heat source is recommended)

From what you described, it sounds like the snake is cold and sits on your hand for heat.

There's also the curiosity factor involved. I know mine seem to enjoy being taken out and handled just because it's a change from their little four-walled world.

[ColibríCulebra]

Thanks everyone for the warm welcome. I am new to being a snake mommy. The care sheet on this site is great. The day I found Felicia, I found this site that was very helpful: Garter Snake Care - gartersnake.info

She's not cold. I keep her home between 70 and 80º ... a little cooler at night, warmer during the day. I remember now that snake charmers mesmerize Cobras with the movement of their flutes and not the music. Are garter snakes sensitive to human's moods? Maybe Felicia comes out when the Colibrí Culebra song is on because it makes me happy to hear it.

I didn't mean to turn this into a hummingbird forum too, but my magical experience with hummingbirds has been such a delight for me. When I discovered the names for hummingbirds and snakes were so similar I wondered what it meant. I always wonder what things mean. I have a lot of synchronicity with all kinds of animals. I really enjoy the American Indian Animal Totem meanings and look for the symbolism when I have encounters with animals. While I was researching snakes, I learned something I didn't know, and that is that along with the meanings, the Animal Totems are assigned to birth dates as in Astrology. My birth Totem is SNAKE. Who knew? Native American Animal Symbols

Snake: Oct 23 – Nov 22
Most shamans are born under this Native American animal symbol. The Snake is a natural in all matters of spirit. Easily attuned to the ethereal realm the Snake makes an excellent spiritual leader. Also respected for his/her healing capacities, the Snake also excels in medical professions. The Snake's preoccupation with matters intangible often lead others to view them as mysterious, and sometimes frightening. True, the Snake can be secretive, and a bit dark – he/she is also quite sensitive, and caring. In a supportive relationship the cool Snake can be passionate, inspiring, humorous, and helpful. Left to his/her own devices, the Snake can be despondent, violent, and prone to abnormal mood swings.

I am happy to report, the last sentence doesn't apply to me.

[EasternGirl]

Oh very cool...my totem is snake too! Explains so much...I am a nursing student and I do have mood swings..lol. I have also always been a very spiritual person. People describe me as mysterious and dark-natured....all in all a very good description of me.

[ConcinusMan]

Are garter snakes sensitive to human's moods?

That's a good question. Definitely can't rule it out. If only snakes could talk. Humans, and all mammals secrete chemicals that change with mood and snakes have very keen olfactory sensitivity. It's definitely possible.

There's also the curiosity factor involved. I know mine seem to enjoy being taken out and handled just because it's a change from their little four-walled world.

Good point. Garters are very intelligent (some more so than others) and inquisitive. Could be the snake doesn't see you as a threat and is just curious about you. Still, it doesn't hurt matters that your hand is warm and comfy.

[infernalis]

I'm rather confident about the curiosity, Make whatever you wish of it, but many of mine seem interested in checking out what is going on in the room around them. The little faces peering out of the glass is rather neat to see.

[kibakiba]

I think they can sense emotions, at least in a basic way. Mama's more active when I'm happy, jumpy when I'm angry or upset, calm when I'm in a neutral mood. Snap is wired no matter how I feel... Ember is calm if I'm in a good mood, but wont have anything to do with me if I'm in bad mood... Pumpkin curls up in my hand if I put it in the tank while I'm in a good mood, but avoids me when I'm in a bad mood.