Reptile & Amphibian Forums

My friend posted this in Facebook. I was thinking Eastern Gartersnake, but I'd love to have a second opinion.

She wouldn't get closer to him to get a better picture. I hope I've convinced her to just leave him alone. :/
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Holly

1.0 Florida Kingsnake (Eddie Gein)
0.1 Lavender California Kingsnake (Belle Gunness)
1.0 Bearded Dragon (Charley Manson)
1.0 Vietnamese Golden Gecko (George Chapman)
1.0 Orange Marmalade Cat (Oliver)
1.0 Black Cat (Shadowfax)
1.0 Tennessee Walking Horse (Durango)

2.0 Kids (Justice & Trevor)

The photo was actually taken in Santa Barbara... That particular friend *lives* in Boston, I just didn't know she was on vacation. >.<

I revise my previous opinion of the snake... certainly not an Eastern Gartersnake, by location, in my mind.
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Holly
Round Rock, TX

1.0 Florida Kingsnake (Eddie Gein)
0.1 Lavender California Kingsnake (Belle Gunness)
1.0 Vietnamese Golden Gecko (George Chapman)
1.0 Orange Marmalade Cat (Oliver)
1.0 Black Cat (Shadowfax)
1.0 Tennessee Walking Horse (Durango)

2.0 Kids (Justice & Trevor)

Genus Pituophis. Common name either bull or gopher snake.

~~Greg~~

I fully agree with Greg on this one Holly. It has to be the only "Pit" in that coastal area, the San Diego Gopher snake(Pituophis catenifer annectens). They are HIGHLY variable and their color and pattern can look very different in certain specimens. They can even display striping of varying degrees, with some snakes being fairly contrasting and vivid, while others can be very dull.

~Doug

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"a snake in the grass is a GOOD thing"

serpentinespecialties.webs.com

I wish I had been there to see him... it looks like he has lateral striping. I think I've convinced her not to bother him. Like I said, she's on vacation and I think she's renting a house. Every time I see someone post "Snakes = Bad and scary" I respond with "Mice & rats = bad and scary. " *sigh*
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Holly
Round Rock, TX

1.0 Florida Kingsnake (Eddie Gein)
0.1 Lavender California Kingsnake (Belle Gunness)
1.0 Vietnamese Golden Gecko (George Chapman)
1.0 Orange Marmalade Cat (Oliver)
1.0 Black Cat (Shadowfax)
1.0 Tennessee Walking Horse (Durango)

2.0 Kids (Justice & Trevor)

Yes, we are all too familiar with the very typical "snake = scary" thing. It's really sad that more people don't understand these magnificent animals better after all these centuries of being loathed for no real reason other than they don't know the first thing about them and were always "taught" to fear them...

cheers! ~Doug

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"a snake in the grass is a GOOD thing"

serpentinespecialties.webs.com