Finally got a better pic....

[EasternGirl]

I hope this one will work to tell me what sex you think Bibur is...

A couple of questions: This morning I was holding my hand outside of Bibur's little cave to try to get him to come to check me out....he kept opening his mouth and shutting it....does that mean he was trying to be tough? That he is hungry?

Can you hurt a snake by holding his neck to tightly?

Thanks!!!

[guidofatherof5]

She's a Lady, Whoa, Whoa, Whoa, She's a lady(Done with my best Tom Jones imatation)

[EasternGirl]

Ha! She is going to get big then, huh? The mama lives under our house and she is huge! (for a garter). Very good Tom Jones....what about my other questions? Can you tell me anything about those things? And one other thing....Bibur...I'm thinking of changing her name to Medusa...or Selena...is not going in her water dish....what can I do to ensure she will not dehydrate?

Thanks for your help!

[EasternGirl]

Okay....my son and I have officially decided to call Bibur...Selena....coming out party for the boy snake that turned out to be a girl....lol!

[gregmonsta]

I hope this one will work to tell me what sex you think Bibur is...

A couple of questions: This morning I was holding my hand outside of Bibur's little cave to try to get him to come to check me out....he kept opening his mouth and shutting it....does that mean he was trying to be tough? That he is hungry?

Can you hurt a snake by holding his neck to tightly?

Thanks!!!

Trying to be tough and yes to the neck holding thing ..... essentially you shouldn't need to restrain the neck at all for any reason other than administrating medication, etc.

[Tyrel26]

As a rule I never hold my snakes by force unless its an emergency, and yes you can damage a snake if it is held to tightly. Snakes "yawn" the same as people do, to the stretch the muscles of their jaw. Also, you well rarely ever see your snake drink. The only time I've seen mine drink is after a feeding or after clean water has been added to the enclosure. (just because water looks clean to us it doesn't make it clean, change the water on a regular basis)

[EasternGirl]

Isn't she supposed to be going in her little pool, though? I put a water dish big enough for her to lie in or to swim in...I thought that was necessary to keep her skin moist. I pick her up behind her head because she is still skiddish and I didn't want her to bite me....when I pick her up I have to hold her firmly to keep her from flipping out and escaping....she is quick! But, I don't want to hurt her....

[Tyrel26]

If you continue to hold her like that she will probably never get adjusted to being held. scoop your hands under her and hold her just a couple of inches above the enclosure floor, do this from time to time and it will help. IF she did bite you would barely feel anything, it seems you are the skiddish one . Be brave and hold your snake as if it were a fussy baby (i hope you dont hold a fussy baby by the neck lol)

Snakes will soak when necessary, usually around a shed but not always.

[guidofatherof5]

Ha! She is going to get big then, huh? The mama lives under our house and she is huge! (for a garter). Very good Tom Jones....what about my other questions? Can you tell me anything about those things? And one other thing....Bibur...I'm thinking of changing her name to Medusa...or Selena...is not going in her water dish....what can I do to ensure she will not dehydrate?

Thanks for your help!

As long as she has easy access(not to tall) to the water I wouldn't worry about dehydration. You always have the option to put her in the water once in awhile.
As far as the mouth thing goes I doubt it's anything to do with aggression or showing dominance. Does she do it all the time or just this one time?
Garters yawn and stretch to make sure everything is in place. Sometimes they can have a lip out of place or have a piece of foreign matter in their mouth. It's not something they do with great frequency.
Keep us posted.

[EasternGirl]

Okay...yes, I will admit I am a bit skiddish...this is all new to me. I have held boas and pythons that were pets of friends and never tried to bite me. I have never had a wild snake. I guess you are right, her mouth is so small she couldn't actually hurt me. I always held my son by the neck when he was a fussy baby...is there something wrong with that? Lol....just kidding! Selena and I will get used to each other...

This is the only time I saw her do the mouth thing....I put my hand down for her and she kept poking her head out of her cave and opening and closing her mouth...perhaps she thought I had food...