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Always pick up the snake gently from the mid-body area, rather than the head or tail. Support its body as you hold it so that it feels safe and secure. Let it curl around your hands to explore. Some garter snakes will be afraid of being handled at first. This means that it may thrash in your hands. In this scenario, keep a firm hold of it so that it doesn't fall. Other scared snakes may produce a foul-smelling liquid called musk. This isn't harmful and you can simply wash it off. Practice handling the snake regularly and helping it to feel safe and secure so that it feels more comfortable being handled. If your snake is new, give it a few days to settle in first and make sure that it eats its first meal. Handle the snake regularly so that it can get used to you and learn to trust you. Over time, the snake will become more comfortable with being handled. Regular handling also provides a good opportunity for checking the snake's health. Make sure that there aren't small lumps over its body or a hollow popping sound when it breathes, as this could indicate a problem with internal parasites. Check the snake's body for puffy, white sores which can indicate a blister disease that is caused by living in conditions that are too moist. Also, make sure that the snake sheds properly and doesn't retain old skin around its eyes and tail. Take your snake to a veterinarian for treatment if it shows any of these symptoms.
Handle the snake by letting it climb through your hands. Take the snake out of the enclosure at least once per week. Check the snake regularly to make sure it is healthy.