Found a snake today!

[xStatic]

I went fishing today and didn't catch that many fish, but I did see three snakes and managed to catch the third one. I'm pretty sure it was a DeKay's Brown Snake and it was very pretty and friendly. I wanted to take it home with me so bad but I let him go back into his little drift wood hide out. I caught him right at the water's edge. I had no idea DeKay's liked the water...

http://www.thamnophis.com/thamphotos/data//500/medium/IMG_0911_2_.JPG

http://www.thamnophis.com/thamphotos/data//500/medium/IMG_0910_1_.JPG

http://www.thamnophis.com/thamphotos/data//500/medium/IMG_0914_1_.JPG

Earlier I caught a glimpse of a much larger garter. It was dark brown with at least one dark orange/yellow stripe down the back. I'm in western Montana, any ideas what species it might have been? I saw a third snake in the same wood pile as the one I caught. It was just a dark blur but I'm assuming it's was probably another DeKay's. It really could have been anything though.

http://www.thamnophis.com/thamphotos/data//500/medium/IMG_0915_1_.JPG

And since I just have to include it, here's the GIANT Brook Trout I caught today ;)

[guidofatherof5]

I don't think that's a S.dekayi. I don't think they range in Montana.

Too distinctive of a pattern(blotches) and the head is too large.

Terrestrial Gartersnake - Thamnophis elegans
Common Gartersnake - Thamnophis sirtalis
Both range on the western part of Montana

[xStatic]

Okay had no idea they weren't here! I just assumed because it was all brown without any striping or anything. He was cute though.

After A reevaluation I'm guessing all three snakes were Thamnophis sirtalis (:

[guidofatherof5]

Okay had no idea they weren't here! I just assumed because it was all brown without any striping or anything. He was cute though

I by no means am a dekayi expert. Hopefully Wayne will comment to the thread.

[infernalis]

The snake is too heavy bodied and it looks more like an Elegans to me.

Too big to be a Storeria.

[xStatic]

The snake is too heavy bodied and it looks more like an Elegans to me.

Too big to be a Storeria.

I think it's about time I stop trying to ID snakes then xD

[guidofatherof5]

I think it's about time I stop trying to ID snakes then xD

You just keep trying. Practice, practice, practice.;)

[ssssnakeluvr]

nope, not dekayi, not out west.... its a wandering garter, thamnophis elegans vagrans....

[xStatic]

It's weird how variable garters can be. Individuals of the same species can look like totally different snakes even when they come from a relatively similar area

[i_heart_sneakie_snakes]

I think that little snake is super cute. I think I'd have had a new pet if I'd have caught it ;)