Wow Shannon, excellent find!! It definitely looks related to the one captured two years ago from what I can tell. I am not into garters, but I understand that easterns come in a few distinct phases. I am not sure you would call them "morphs" per se, but definite differences in coloration and pattern. This appears to me similar to Timber Rattlensnakes, where the more southerly forms are much lighter colored and chevroned patterned while the northly ones are darker and more blotched like an eastern western in pattern IMO.

Back to your situation, I see no reason the offspring you released on your property would not have survived in the area as long as habitat and food sources are sufficient. Why wouldnt they? As far as hypomelanism is concerned, it is not an all or nothing trait. Just because the new female is not as light as the old one doesnt mean its not a hypo. I have seen hypomelanism expressed in corns to various degrees just like the blood red trait. Some are just lighter than others just like non-hypo animals. Regardless if hypo or not, the new female definitely looks genetically related to the old one for sure!!! Whether this is due to a hypo trait passed on from the old female or phase expression from the area the original female was captured in.

Once again, great find and good luck with the new gal!!

P.S. Thanks for the water snake feeding tips!! I did let the snake go back where captured recently.

KevinM

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