New Eastern Garter bites

[Solarib]

Just received an adult female Eastern Garter.  She was shipped through mail.  Pretty aggressive over the last 24 hours.  Bit me and strikes at the cage.  Hoping she calms in the next few days.  Have 2 latency age children.  Is this normal ??  Ideas ??

[guidofatherof5]

It takes time for them to trust. You are just a big predator at this point.

[snake man]

I would just give it time.

[ConcinusMan]

Deja vu

[EasternGirl]

It can take time for some garters to adjust. How are you attempting to handle her when she strikes? Sometimes taking it in steps can help tremendously. Start by just putting your hand in the enclosure and letting her come to your hand to investigate...do this several times. Then you can try moving the hand toward her. Work your way up to slowly, and gently petting her before attempting to handle her. Slow, gentle movements are key...any quick movement can startle her. False striking...or striking with out actually biting...is a common defense mechanism of garters. She is just scared right now. The worst scenario...she bites you. Garter bites are not dangerous and do not actually hurt very much at all. Might be a good idea not to let the kids handle her until they are more skilled with snakes.

[Solarib]

Thank you for helping me in this precarious time. After 4 days she is a bit calmer. The tendency to bite is when I approach her. After a few minutes in my hand she settles and is quite friendly. This will be a slow process but worth it

[chris-uk]

Thank you for helping me in this precarious time. After 4 days she is a bit calmer. The tendency to bite is when I approach her. After a few minutes in my hand she settles and is quite friendly. This will be a slow process but worth it

Too be blunt, I wouldn't be picking her up after just 4 days. They need time to settle, get accustomed to the new surroundings and learn your smell (and that you bring food not danger). The fact that she settles in your hand after a few minutes doesn't mean she isn't stressed and afraid, it just means that she's weighed up the danger and figures you aren't constantly grabbing her if she keeps still.
For me, the test for when to pick up (other than if I have to move one to clean the viv etc) is when you can put your hand into the viv and stroke their chin without it jumping away to hide.
If you take it slow I think you'll find that you are more likely to get to the point where she will slither out into your hands of her own accord when you open the viv (I have 4 that will do this consistently, a couple that will do it occassionally, and a couple that I think are too shy to ever leave the viv of their own choosing).

As for children handling, a bite isn't going to hurt them in reality, but it will make them less confident to handle the snake again. Best waiting until the girl has settled down and is manageable for a child. The danger to the snake is that kids don't know how tight they can squeeze (or when to just let the snake drop to the floor rather than trying to keep hold) when the snake decides it's going to jump out of their hands.

[Light of Dae]

I found it also helps to approach them from a ... low stance, don't try to pick her up from above her, try n scoop her up rather. From above you are more of a predator.

I also agree 100% with Chris, try to rub her chin. lol I had a wild caught male Radix for a short time(wouldn't eat or adjust so let him go) and he first would freak out and musk n flail about. I started to put my hand in his tank till it almost fell asleep(I'd read a book or something) n he forgot about my hand then I'd move it over to his chin n just gently stroke lol I'd never seen such a confused snake, from freaking out to... what the... this is the same scary hand but this isn't threatening ... what is the meaning of this chin rubbish?!?! lol

Although he wasn't meant for the tank easy life, I've used this with all my snakes. works awesome.

[kibakiba]

My snakes seem to enjoy chin rubs. Snakey did, it was one of the only affectionate things I could do. Big Mama likes her neck and chin rubbed, but Snakey freaked out when you tried to rub his chin.

[Solarib]

Yes, I agree with above... I pushed the handling and now have a better sense of the gradual approach. I am on vacation for a week, so she will get more accustomed to her surroundings. Wife is caring for her, so there will be no handling, just cage maintenance - I'm intrigued by this chin rubbing thing