Garter Snake Attitude Change

[bcr229]

Last summer we found a juvenile garter snake in our garage. The little darlin' had an injury on the tail just behind the vent at one point that had healed up, but it was obviously causing problems shedding. We put the poor thing in an empty tank, fed it nightcrawlers at first, and then transitioned to mouse pinkies twice a week. The old injury still interferes with proper shedding though, we occasionally have to gently help her rub off the last bit each time using a damp rag.

For the first few weeks handling our charge was a challenge - we were bitten, musked, hissed at, there were many attempts at escape, etc. - but over the winter things got better. While not as chilled as our BP's or boa's, our garter would tolerate short handling sessions. With the warmer weather our little garter has suddenly backslid and is almost aggressive, especially during feeding. I'm not worried about getting bitten - I've been nailed by much larger snakes - but was wondering if this was normal. At first we thought the aggression was because s/he was too hungry on the same weekly feeding schedule as our other snakes, but feeding slightly smaller meals twice a week didn't change anything. We were also thinking that other garters would be active outside with the warmer weather, and with breeding season starting maybe that could be it?

BTW we haven't popped/probed to find out if we have a male or female, and given that we have no intentions of breeding or getting another (much to my daughter's disgust LOL) I'm not all that inclined to try.

[3skulls]

It might be picking up a sent from outside.
I have never met a nice one so I'm not much help here.

:o

Congrats on getting it switched over and good luck.

[carlson]

When I was little like 6-11 I would catch a garter or three every year and bring them home and raise them with parents help. They seemed easier to deal with when small, once they grew up they were too mean my parents would release them back into wild..

[valhalha30]

I am 99.99999999% sure of why it's behaving the way it is.
I've been around a lot of wild snakes in various seasons... even in winter, (shockingly enough) and came upon very relaxed snakes when the temps were cool/cold even though the specific species would most likely be pre-dispositioned for aggression.
I also was told by a friend of mine who owns over 200 snakes (hots and regular snakes) that ALL of his snakes become very complaciant over the winter, even if they are typically super aggressive. But as soon as the weather gets warmer, they go back to being active/aggressive... or as he says, " the snake's normal behaviour"

It's warming up outside, and during the cooler months, and even days, they will be much more relaxed and laid back. But once spring arrives and breeding season arrives, they get incredibly hard to handle and deal with. They become very aggressive, what seems like spontaniously.
Reason why I came to this line of thought:
"For the first few weeks handling our charge was a challenge - we were bitten, musked, hissed at, there were many attempts at escape, etc. - but over the winter things got better. While not as chilled as our BP's or boa's, our garter would tolerate short handling sessions. With the warmer weather our little garter has suddenly backslid and is almost aggressive, especially during feeding. I'm not worried about getting bitten - I've been nailed by much larger snakes - but was wondering if this was normal. At first we thought the aggression was because s/he was too hungry on the same weekly feeding schedule as our other snakes, but feeding slightly smaller meals twice a week didn't change anything. We were also thinking that other garters would be active outside with the warmer weather, and with breeding season starting maybe that could be it?" - bcr229

Long story short, it's completely normal. Especially for a wild snake ^_^

Hope this helped!

[bcr229]

Thanks that does explain a lot. Would this also hold true even if the snake is kept in non-winter conditions? Our "herp room" was about 80*F all winter with 12/12 lighting and fairly humid, mainly b/c we have enough BP's and boa's that someone was always shedding.

[valhalha30]

Yes! Oddly enough they would still behave calmly from cold weather even if the temp is 80*F.
I believe it's due to the barometric pressure of the season. I know BP's use High Pressure frontal systems and Low Pressure frontal systems (I think it's fronts, it may be barometric pressure of seasons as well) to gauge opptimum breeding condtions.
My turtles behave the same way. They sleep most of the winter, even though it's 75*F in my house. But as soon as they feel Springtime, they are all active again. If it's Spring/Summer and it's storming, my turtles will all "bunker down" too, as if it's storming in thier tanks....... so I think they can definitally feel the different pressures of weather.. It's odd, but it's just nature

[bcr229]

Makes sense, my adult male BP's stop eating around December. Drives me nuts!

[bcr229]

Well, call me a liar! The mid-week feeding went great. No freaky attitude, hissing, musking, biting, or any other aggressive behavior. Silly snakes.

[3skulls]

That's awesome. They are some cool snakes and always look mad :p

[valhalha30]

Weird.... now that, I can't explain.... snakes have weird quirks sometimes.... hahahaha