Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Can anyone identify? Looks more like a ribbon/glass lizard cross! But seriously, I can't find anything on this guy anywhere. He was tagged as an Eastern garter but all pics I'm finding don't show the banding black, white, black, white on the belly scales. His facial coloration/stripes/banding has thrown me, too.

Any help will be much appreciated! He's a worm/minnow eater if that helps at all. And he's kind of a "rescue" from a pet store - good excuse - truth is, I'm addicted to garters.... (Hi ScottF, this is Stephanie Zimmerman).

is a Striped keelback snake...beautiful

That is VERY interesting - I live just outside LR Arkansas and picked him up at one of the two pet "chain" stores this afternoon. I KNEW I'd seen this somewhere before - guess I should inform them because they're selling them as a "various garter snakes" to unsuspecting, probably young, and inexperienced people. Yes, he's lovely, and calm but it's funny because he musked me at the store and it literally smelled like a skunk had sprayed me (not as strong as when my dogs run up on a real skunk), but different than any musk I've ever had on me. Guess that should have been clue number one. I do have some, albiet a small amount, of experience with rear fanged (Western and Malagasy hognoses)so I am thankful you guys knew what I had a hold of.

Do you guys think I should tell them? I know they sold a little one this morning to someone and I got the last they had at that store. There's two more stores within a 40 mile radius I could check tomorrow to see if they have them as well.

Thank you to everyone who replied! Wow.

>>Do you guys think I should tell them? I know they sold a little one this morning to someone and I got the last they had at that store. There's two more stores within a 40 mile radius I could check tomorrow to see if they have them as well.

I suspect they already know, the chain has been informed of it several times already (by me, among others), but there's no harm in doing it again.
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1.2.1 Thamnophis elegans vagrans
0.1 Thamnophis sirtalis tetrataenia
1.1 Natrix maura

Julio,
It is what is commonly called and Indonesian garter snake or also called a Striped Keelback, scientific is Xenochrophis vittata I believe or very similar species. They are a rear fanged mildly venomous-FYI. May want to use a bit of caution.
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Jeff Benfer
gartersnakemorph.com

Hey Jeff
Thanx for the more detailed info..i knew it was a keelback but didnt know it was rear fang....i think they sale them in the petshop around my way 2 so i will also let them know...

I see them for sale from time to time at the Petcos around here, too.
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Jeff Benfer
gartersnakemorph.com