Reptile & Amphibian Forums

hello all,

I just moved to an area that has maritime garters and the other day i caught a really nice green one, and I cant seem to find any other pics of snakes of this species that are green. Is it uncommon or am I not looking in the right places? I have pics but i just joined this site and im unsure how to go about uploading them, so if you would like to see the pics just let me know how.

Thanks

ok i figured out how to get a pic here...i think lol. please let me know what you think

thanks

Wow very nice! Don't think I ever seen a Garter quite that color?
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King Snakes! Who can make a better mouse trap?
J Sierra

You don't have to be specific but around what part of the Country did you find this?
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King Snakes! Who can make a better mouse trap?
J Sierra

I dont mind telling where i got it,Im in eastern canada, nova scotia actually. Caught it not far from truro. I was just wondering if its a rare find or common one. The underside is actually a slight shade of blue as well. I have only ever been around red sides before i moved here so i really dont know much about these maritime garters; but i do know its a beauty and its eating great. Mostly worms but she has taken some pinkies wrapped with worms, i hope to get her to which to mice only soon. If you have any other questions, info, advice, etc...I be happy to take it.

Thanks

I don't know how rare it is but it's very pretty! I'm not that well informed on Garters. I only have one Florida blue Eastern. But try scenting the pinks with some fish. That usually works pretty good. You may have to wash the mouse smell off first with a dab of soap and rinse all the soap off. Mybe some of the Garter Experts will chime in? Good Luck!
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King Snakes! Who can make a better mouse trap?
J Sierra

Thanks for the advice

This pic was taken in front of my window, no flash used, no edits. Sorry its a little blurry, and it still dosnt show how green she really is but you can get some idea. Again, is a green maritime garter common, rare, ...?

thanks

I don't think they are rare in any way... I have heard of both green and red phase maritimes for sale and recall seening photos of green maritimes. I still don't own any pallidulus because I find easterns that are rather close in coloration to maritimes... but they are from NW PA and could not possibly be maritimes.

the first one is green phase, I have this one as a pet

this one I released after taking some pics

Beautiful snakes, and I agree on the not being rare part. It seems that maritime garter and sirtalis are one in the same (though I may be wrong), thus the green phase is common; but she is still a beautiful snake. I found some great info on the thamnophis site which has lead me to my conclusion. Even though she isnt rare I do still have hope of getting a more uncommon type of garter as there have been many melanistic garters photographed in this area and there is currently a study being done on these snakes. I hope to start breeding snakes in the future so I am looking to get a couple to get me started.

Thanks for the reply

no problem! Just remember that it does not have to be rare to be beautiful. Some of the rarest color phases of snakes in the world are entirely unattractive. In my opinion, one of the most beautiful snakes out there is a really nice normal green checkered garter snake.