Taming WC snakes

[bulrush]

I have an eastern garter snake, about 14 inches long. He has been in his pen about 7 days now where I did not pick him up. What is the best way to tame him? Should I pick him up every day? Or should I just put my hand in there near him once or twice a day, for 7 days. Then touch him 1-2 times per day, for the next 7 days so he gets used to me, then pick him up.

Last week when I did pick him up he still tried to run away once in my hand.

He is eating normally, 2-3 worms every 3-4 days. I'm going to try to get some pinkies tonight and try one. You can freeze pinkies and use them later after thawing, right?

Thanks for your help.

p.s. My house is quite all day while I am at work, and is quiet at night because I'm the only one at home. His room only has the faint hum and bubbling of fish tank filters and bubblers.

[Snake lover 3-25]

what i did with sooty my WC female was to hold her right away....... if they seemed too stressed then i put them back.... but i held her for quite a while each day and now when she smells me or hears me open the cage she comes right out and onto my hand..... and i've only had her for a few weeks.... mine moved around quite a bit at first but they slow down as they get used to you....

also.... yes you can feed thawed mice... i put mine in a ziplock bag and keep them in the sink w/ hot water.... they seem to like the fact that they are warm....

[reptileparadise]

you guys have really cool easterns...If I come close to my female, she WILL bite
Gotta love a personallity!

[Snake lover 3-25]

lol sooty has never even pooped on me!!!!!! she is soooo calm.... partly why i kept her!!!!! i'd rather have a snake bite than poop or musk!!!

[anji1971]

I've been pretty lucky with mine too. Aside from an initial musking when I first caught them, they calmed down pretty nicely. And Deejay, being a captive born, is just a big snugglebug! Her mother was a bit feisty, but I think that may have been because she was the first one I had, and I was a bit nervous so I didn't handle her as often as I should have.

[Snake lover 3-25]

yeah...... meadow(my first ever WC & the mom of baby) bit me pretty got when i caught her.... and then i locked her away in an empty dark cage for a few days!!!! let me tell you she has NOT bitten me since!!!!!!!

[EdgyExoticReptiles]

im sure you would'nt think that if you were holding a 12' boa or python

lol sooty has never even pooped on me!!!!!! she is soooo calm.... partly why i kept her!!!!! i'd rather have a snake bite than poop or musk!!!

[Snake lover 3-25]

yeah..... but then again where would i find one of those!!!!!!

[bulrush]

if they seemed too stressed then i put them back.... but i held her for quite a while each day

I'm confused. If they seem too stressed when you pick them up, did you put them back right away or hold them for a while? How long is "a while"?

[Snake lover 3-25]

well... for me a while is a few hrs..... but by stressed i mean if they musk or bite you......

then i put them back!!!