Is it time just to let her go?

[nekura]

Thank you all. I would really like to keep her. I was just questioning what was best for her, but from what you said (and considering our dogs' favorite hobby is killing snakes in the yard) I think I'll try to keep her indefinitely and just get her to at least stop face slamming the mesh anytime I go to put food in the tank.

As for a "watcher snake" she knows when we're looking at her. She'll stare at us then back away into her hiding spot. My boyfriend said yesterday he looked at her from half-way across the room as she came out to get water, she stopped, looked at him, and backed away.

[guidofatherof5]

What species is your snake?

[chris-uk]

She sounds like two of our snakes (a Cuitzeo and a Western Blackneck) which will often back off into their hides as soon as they realise you're looking at them. But they are both getting better. You haven't seen quick movement until you've seen our Cuitzeo pull back into his hide - 12 inches of snake disappearing in the blink of an eye.

Hopefully yours will get better over time.

[EasternGirl]

My eastern garters were both wild caught and they are still very skiddish but they have come around a lot. They still hide from me, they still squirm and try to get away when I hold them...although the male eventually calms down, and the female still strikes at me. But they do come out to look at me and the female will take food from tongs from me...she will even pop her head out to look at me if I tap on the glass of her enclosure. The male seems to be getting much calmer when I hold him and doesn't flee when I put my hands in the enclosure anymore. Like Chantel said, try putting your hand in the tank and just leaving it there and give the snake time to come to you without trying to pick her up...take it slowly, step by step.

[nekura]

She's an Eastern Ribbon I believe.

@EasternGirl how long did it take for them to warm up? If anything it seems Scylla is becoming more wild.. but at least she's living up to her name, heh. Perhaps I should get some tongs? Like I said she hasn't eaten recently.. could be because its winter, but in LA we don't get super cold and her cage is right by my computer which I keep at 70-80 so I don't think she'd try to bruminate.. not to mention the heating lamp on her.

How long can a snake go without eating?

[katach]

I've released a snake for lack of adjustment. Her name was Kendra, she was an old girl. She really hated captivity though. I have her about a week or so. She just kept bumping the glass and pushing on the top. She would musk (a lot) when handled. Our other 5 wild caught seemed to adjust within a couple days.
A random completely unsubstantiated thought... What if you got another garter that was more adjusted and housed them together (after quarantine period)? Maybe if your snake saw the other being handled and loved on, it would come around a little. Good luck.

[EasternGirl]

If she is a ribbon snake that may be your answer...ribbon snakes can be very skiddish and do not like handling as much from what I understand. I have had my male eastern garter (a garter is different than a ribbon snake understand) for a little over a year now and my female since last May. Now what Kat suggested may be a very good idea...many of us have seen skiddish snakes come around after having a roommate put in with them...but I do not know if you can put a garter in with a ribbon snake or if you would have to get another ribbon. You would have to make sure they are both female so that you don't end up with a bunch of babies.

She won't brumate at those temps. Snakes can go a while without eating...mine have gone over a month. If she is skiddish, she probably won't eat from tongs. What are you feeding her? Has she shed yet? You could try putting her food on a dish under her hide...she may eat if she feels more secure and that no one is watching her. Also, try covering her tank halfway with a towel. This may make her feel more secure as well. Does she have plenty of places to hide and burrow?

[nekura]

She's been eating Sally's Silversides. I have put the food under her hide and she did shed, but I think she may be shedding again.. I did have another snake (a sibling) with her that died of unknown causes, both wild caught. We only have ribbons in my yard, but its winter so we won't be finding any. It's been about a week since she ate, so I guess no cause for concern?

[chris-uk]

How big is she? Adults can go months without eating (I think I read a post from a member saying their snake had gone 4 months...), even juveniles can go for a couple months although I'd worry sooner with a snake that doesn't have a good feeding track record.

You could put a similar sized garter in with the ribbon. Steve has a ribbon in with his best group of radix females to try to calm her, it seems to be working for him slowly.

[nekura]

She's usually a gluten. She's a lot bigger now... I'd say 6 inches long? Maybe more?