my garter snake has gotten aggresive ever since it ran away HHHEEELLLPPP!!!!!!!!!
2006-12-17 15:41:22 · 6 answers · asked by n m 1 in Pets ➔ Reptiles
Hello, I have been snake "hunting" for more than 12 years. I have dealt with all sorts of snakes, as well as other animals. Point is, a snake is a wild animal. Whether you bought him at a pet store, or found him in nature, he is still wild. Garter snakes, are small snakes,compared to boas and pythons..small snakes tend to be aggressive when picked up or "bothered" in any sort of way. Reason being they are small and they know that you ccan hurt them very easily and they do not have venom..so being mean is how they protect themselves.Keep in mind snakes, unlike some animals, can not be "tamed". They choose what they want to do. One minute they may be nice then decided they are mad. Often when a snake has had a chance to grasp the situation of being back in a cage, or has experienced life on the "wild side.." then they are bound to be aggressive. Also be sure if you got this snake from outside that it is most likely illiegal. Many states don't like their native animals being kept, and most garters are native to their lands..i'm not sure where you got it, but keep those things in mind..if you got it from the wild, then take it back..to where you found it. He's obviously not happy.
2006-12-17 15:54:05 · answer #1 · answered by cc 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I got to go with CC on this one. Their wild animals, and it got a taste of freedom and wanted more. Also in my experience Garter snakes have always been fairly aggressive, infact my first snakebite I remember came from a garter..
2006-12-18 00:50:10 · answer #2 · answered by rock 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Regular handling and keeping them well fed can help. Make sure you go to pick up your snake without hesitating or wiggling your fingers, this will make it nervous and may cause it to defend itself and bite. Once picked up, support your snake with two hands, firmly but without squeezing, until it relaxes. Then you may be able to let it wind around on one hand. I never handle my snakes the day I feed them, I let them digest.
2006-12-17 16:05:17 · answer #3 · answered by easternpainted 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Garter snakes are docile. Have a nice day.
2006-12-17 15:43:53 · answer #4 · answered by firestarter 6 · 0⤊ 1⤋
just handling your snake with care often will calm it down a lot. ive read that if you wear plastic gloves the snake wont bite becouse of the taste. thats your choice to try that. i personally dont do that cause i dont want my snakes to fear my hands. though it is wild it will eventually get used to you handling it if you are carfull with it.
2006-12-18 07:57:08 · answer #5 · answered by DangerDan A 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
if you feed it live prey, try not feeding it live mice anymore...or w/e you feed it. that might work.
also, i always noticed my snakes would go after me if i was timid around them. if you show them who is boss, especially when taking them outta the cage, they wont be so aggresive. even though you are its owner, if they smell fear, they will still attack and bite.
thats just my own suggestion.
2006-12-17 15:44:52 · answer #6 · answered by program dude 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋