Aggressive Puget

[Steveo]

Sometimes they just need time to grow. I don't handle my milk snakes very often because they're nocturnal, but once they reached the 2' mark they started to settle down.

I imagine a snake could be trained on a very basic level, but since they only eat once or twice per week it would take a very long time to reinforce the desired behavior. You'd also have to avoid triggering the behavior until they can be fed, otherwise they won't make the connection.

[Maleko]

^ I was thinking of this too. Would size make any difference? Handling a 2.5 foot long garter versus a little 14 inch garter?
I've been out near the beach this summer and the native wandering garters were a breeze to handle (if you could catch them). They were all a good 2.5 feet long or bigger, and surprisingly mild mannered for being feral snakes.

[guidofatherof5]

^ I was thinking of this too. Would size make any difference? Handling a 2.5 foot long garter versus a little 14 inch garter?
I've been out near the beach this summer and the native wandering garters were a breeze to handle (if you could catch them). They were all a good 2.5 feet long or bigger, and surprisingly mild mannered for being feral snakes.

That's funny.

[CrazyHedgehog]

wear rubber gloves, if she tries biting, she won't like the taste and soon gives up!

[Selkielass]

As for treating her, should I just use something small like a chunk of worm?
And a little off topic, but can snakes be trained to respond to positive reinforcement like dogs and cats? I've trained one of my freshwater angelfish using this method, and I don't see why it shouldn't work on a reptile.

I reward with s small worm or bit of worm.
Most respond to basic conditioning exercises as well or better than fish, but the there are always exceptions.

[infernalis]

Hi there,

So I acquired a new Puget Sound Garter over the summer, born some time in May, and she's faring much better than my previous garters did. She's got a heating pad for night time, a nice heat lamp during the day when the room gets cold, she's fed a whole pinky mouse about once a week now, and she's all good.

The only problem is her temperament... she's nothing like my other garters were; docile, and eager to be held. She's wily, skittish, and she's recently discovered that she can use her teeth as a weapon...

I've tried regular handling, and she lives in my bedroom, so she's used to my regular presence, but she just doesn't like being handled. It was suggested to me that I try wearing, then cutting up an old shirt of mine and putting it in her enclosure so she can become accustomed to my scent, but I'm a little doubtful.

I'm guessing this is just her temperament and there's not much I can do about it?...

My kind of snake. Feisty is GOOD.....

[RedSidedSPR]

My kind of snake. Feisty is GOOD.....

Yes!

Unfortunately all mine end up nice

[Maleko]

I'd love to have a nice little Garter TEACH ME YOUR WAYS.
My previous girls were never this feisty with me, not to mention the wild garters behave much better than she does haha.

[d_virginiana]

I think littler ones get scared easily and are more likely to bite. Harley was feisty until she hit about 10 inches, and Sithis is pretty quick to bite too.

I reward with s small worm or bit of worm.
Most respond to basic conditioning exercises as well or better than fish, but the there are always exceptions.

Food is the one thing I can put in the tank that WILL convince Harley or Houdini to bite me.

[ConcinusMan]

mild mannered for being feral snakes.

Feral animals are domesticated animals which have gone out into the wild and take care of themselves, such as dogs, cats, domestic pigs, goats, ducks, etc. At this point, I don't consider any snake to actually be domesticated but that's up for debate I suppose.

I thought that trick only worked with warm blooded animals, like dogs, cats and small rodents o.O

Oh no. That's where you're wrong. I've had snakes that absolutely love me and most people but just hate others. They don't react badly until they get a good "sniff"