Greetings all,
I have little experience with Garter Snake identification so I am wondering if anyone knows exactly what kind this is. It was found in South Western Missouri.
Thanks,
Ryan
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Garter ID *PIC*
RMB
Jul 08, 2003 07:21 PM
Replies (11)
JDT
Jul 08, 2003 08:11 PM
Because of the orange dorsal stripe, that appears to be a plains garter(Thamnophis radix).
Sunherp
Jul 08, 2003 09:44 PM
np
garterkeeper
Jul 09, 2003 05:37 PM
It looks like the dorsal stripe is on 2&3 I thought Radix were on 3&4.
clark
ssssnakeluvr
Jul 09, 2003 03:18 AM
The side striipes arent on rows 3 and 4 like the t. radix, I'd say it's a texas garter snake, t. s. annectans
hbluedevilh
Jul 09, 2003 08:29 AM
how do you tell which row? I am having trouble also with mine.
This is a pic, if you need more I can provide more
Note: She does not like taking pictures, the open mouth.
Thanks,
Lu
haddachoose1
Jul 09, 2003 12:02 PM
Go down about 1/4 of the way from the neck, count scale rows starting with the one adjacent to the ventral scales. T. radix has the stripe on rows 3 and 4. This link may help
Link
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Tim
haddachoose1
Jul 09, 2003 12:05 PM
Looks like sirtalis to me too. I'm not familiar with the subspecies though.
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Tim
RMB
Jul 09, 2003 04:25 PM
..
Paul Hollander
Jul 09, 2003 05:20 PM
I'd expect a plains garter to have distinct black edging to the labial scales, and this snake does not. Also, according to the copy of Conant's field guide I have handy, plains garters are not in SW Missouri.
Western ribbons have the lateral stripe on scale rows 3-4 and a tail that is between 1/4 and 1/3 total length. Plains garters have the lateral stripe on the same rows but a tail that is less than 1/4 of the total length. Other garters in SW Missouri have the lateral stripe on scale rows 2-3.
Let us know what it is, please.
Paul Hollander
snakeguy88
Jul 09, 2003 10:20 PM
Looks too heavy to be a proximus...and the color isn't right. I am fairly sure it is some sort of garter and not ribbon. Andy
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Andy Maddox
Houston Herp Key
The Reptizone
michaelb
Jul 11, 2003 06:06 AM
I'm not positive, but I think if your money was on radix, you'll lose. Lateral stripe looks to be on rows 2 and 3, which rules out T. radix or T. proximus and to me makes it a T. sirtalis parietalis (red-sided garter).
The troublesome aspect of this conclusion is the lack of red sides, but a) some are known to lack the red/orange bars on sides, and b) SW MO is on the border between Eastern and Red-sided. Could be a hypo of the two - and Eastern with the orange dorsal stripe of a Red-sided.
