Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I saw this dead snake consumed by fire ants alongside a creek in Arlington, Texas. I know it's either a ribbon snake or garter snake, but the blue coloration is throwing me off. I saw one just like this dead on the road two years ago and thought it was some type of garter. This one looks like a red striped ribbon or western ribbon but seems a little thicker to me, more like a garter, but just could be some swelling. But the blue coloration? Do they turn blue after death or is it some rare color morph or what? Thanks!

That's a Western Ribbon Snake. They often turn blue after death like that.
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Chris Harrison
San Antonio, Texas

Thanks! I was thinking the blue probably occurred after death but wanted to make sure. Too bad they didn't look like that alive!

Dead greensnakes do the same thing, only the whole body goes blue. It can be pretty startling.

There is at least 3 species of Thamnophis (Garter) that are blue while alive.

Puget Sound Garters are blue, Florida (Similis) are blue, and Florida ribbon snakes can be blue.

Thought you'd like to know..

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