Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Are erythristic garters very common in the wild? Are many found in the southeast? Do they get more red with age? I bought a WC garter from a local pet shop because it looked odd to me. It has faint checkers and it's sides are a pretty rust color-not flaming, but pretty nonetheless. And a few weeks ago I found 2 baby garters one with normal color and pattern and the other one had a normal looking checkered pattern but where the greens and yellows usually are there were browns and orangish colors-Are these common garters? And is there any way to sex these visually. The WC is 20"-25", is this an adult?

There are quite a few found SE. But I would'nt go as far as saying they are common.Females are stocky compared to males.Males have a lump after the cloaca that extends about a half inch down the tail.