Hello From The San Francisco East Bay

[guidofatherof5]

I'm not real good with some of those CA. garter I.D's but I think it might be a
Thamnophis elegans terrestris - Coast Gartersnake

[Invisible Snake]

I agree with Steve, that's a Coast garter snake (Thamnophis elegans terrestris)

[ProXimuS]

Me too, Honestly that's what popped into my head when I read it was identifed as a "Common Garter." Very pretty girl


Hello and welcome!

[Kasturi]

I read somewhere in this forum about hand feeding stand offish garters. Being a corn snake owner I was shocked by the idea! However, I guess it could work because garters find food differently? Just trying to piece it all together AND make friends with our new coast garter (thanks guys). Thoughts?

[guidofatherof5]

If the snake is being standoffish I'm not sure why hand feeding would work. Some garters like to have their privacy when eating. Cutting up their food and leaving it under their hide works well or covering the enclosure while they eat. For some snakes it takes time for them to settle in and trust you.
Be patient with your new friend.

[Light of Dae]

Aww the picture is gone

As far as making friends, it'll take time. Try leaving her alone for a week(or two), no food offered, no contact, no staring into her cage at close range. Watch her from a distance. Only top up her water or change it if needed, other then that, leave her alone.

Then offer cut up food on a plate with a little water in the bottom so it don't dry out and she has all the time to decide if she wants it. Garters like cold, wet food. None of my snakes will take food that is dry.

The next day you could sit by her tank n put your hand in there n (maybe turn on a radio, I find noise helps bring them out) and don't go after her or anything just sit there n see, she might come close n smell you or she might crawl all over you. Don't try n grab her. Do this for the first while, helps them get used to you.

As well when picking her up try not to go at her from above, as you appear to be a predator then. I try n go from underneath them, use two hands n corner if you have to that she runs from one hand right into the other. I do this with my babies that are tiny as well. Works really good.

[mustang]

HI! welcome to the forum... (sorry bout being a little late i'm working for another two weeks+prepping to go to college for my first semester in the spring, then im gonna take extra courses so i dont fall behind my class, which is class of 2016...yeah i started a semester late...it's a long story involving mom and dad ) hope you like it here this place is full of great people with great advice

[Kasturi]

She is actually least standoffish while I'm feeding her. The last pinky I fed her, I held onto the end of it with long tweezers until it was 90% gone. It seemed helpful to her. I was holding the little thing still. She is a pretty calm eater, unlike my corn who snatches and constricts (guess she doesn't notice it's already dead)! I am trying to be patient and appreciate the baby steps. Hand feeding is just intriguing to me. I thought it might be a way to get closer to her in a positive way. Thanks all!

[guidofatherof5]

Hand feeding is a great way to get more trust from your snake.

[Greg'sGarters]

Welcome to out thamily!!!