Florida Blues

[Eight]

So hopefully I will be picking up a couple of these guys next week. This is only the second species of garter and I wondered if they differed much compared to T.marcianus in terms of temperament, preferences and habit?

Also what is their scientific name? Many sites I've seen label them as Thamnophis sirtalis sirtalis, but I thought that was the scientific name for easterns? or are Florida blues a locality of easterns?

[ProXimuS]

Thamnophis sirtalis sirtalis is an Eastern. The scientific name for the Florida Blue is Thamnophis sirtalis similis. They're sooo pretty, nice choice;)

[snakeman]

Thamnophis sirtalis sirtalis is an Eastern. The scientific name for the Florida Blue is Thamnophis sirtalis similis. They're sooo pretty, nice choice;)
Florida blues are sirtilis sirtilis.bluestripe garter is similis.

[ProXimuS]

Hmm I guess maybe I read wrong, I'll have to find where I saw it.

So a Florida Blue is the same as an Eastern?

[Steveo]

Hmm I guess maybe I read wrong, I'll have to find where I saw it.

So a Florida Blue is the same as an Eastern?

They are related subspecies, i think.

[ProXimuS]

Blue Garters from Florida - Caresheets (http://www.thamnophis.com/caresheets/index.php?title=Blue_Garters_from_Florida)

I found this article....Looks pretty old:p But anyways explains the difference. I guess I saw them being referrenced wrong, or perhaps read wrong.;)

[thamneil]

Florida blue is a hobbiest term for the Florida locality of sirtalis sirtalis. It IS an eastern garter. Florida blues are known for growing slightly larger and generally have an overall colour of blue or green.

On the other hand, the subspecies sirtalis similis exists within the same range. The snakes are quite similar in appearance although I have heard that similis does not get as big. Similis is referred to as the blue striped garter.

This is a great example of why I prefer scientific names over common or local names! Hope my explanation made a little sense. :)

[Eight]

I prefer scientific names too. I had suspected they were a locality of Eastern. The only issue with the scientific name here is that it just names the snake an Eastern and doesn't take locality into account.

[the_edsta]

I do have some experience with florida blues both in terms of captive bred and (quite a few) wild caught. I have generally found them to be heartier than most easterns, and a bit more aggressive eaters (especially with live minnows). Granted, some of this perception is skewed by interacting with them in the wild, but the captive bred I had was the most aggressive of the bunch. Beautiful snake. I actually think the comparison between the florida blue and the eastern is analagous to the comparison between the florida black bass and the largemouth (the florida version will out-eat and out-grow the northerner in a comparable warm-climate environment).

[the_edsta]

I do have some experience with florida blues, both in terms of captive bred and (quite a few) wild caught. I have generally found them to be heartier than most easterns, and a bit more aggressive eaters (especially with live minnows). Granted, some of this perception is skewed by interacting with them in the wild, but the captive bred I had was the most aggressive of the bunch. Beautiful snake. I actually think the comparison between the florida blue and the eastern is analagous to the comparison between the florida black bass and the largemouth (the florida version will out-eat and out-grow the northerner in a comparable warm-climate environment).

Sorry to add to the confusion, but by 'florida blue' I mean the regional blue variation of sirtalis sirtalis.

[kueluck]

When you say agressive are you just talking about eating or in general. I'm thinking about getting one.
I do have some experience with florida blues both in terms of captive bred and (quite a few) wild caught. I have generally found them to be heartier than most easterns, and a bit more aggressive eaters (especially with live minnows). Granted, some of this perception is skewed by interacting with them in the wild, but the captive bred I had was the most aggressive of the bunch. Beautiful snake. I actually think the comparison between the florida blue and the eastern is analagous to the comparison between the florida black bass and the largemouth (the florida version will out-eat and out-grow the northerner in a comparable warm-climate environment).

[the_edsta]

When you say agressive are you just talking about eating or in general. I'm thinking about getting one.

I just mean at feeding time. Though, admittedly, I've yet to find one that didn't want to musk on me, but I think that's just the nature of the beast. No biting, though!

Here is a beauty I found by my house...

6122

[Eight]

I do have some experience with florida blues both in terms of captive bred and (quite a few) wild caught. I have generally found them to be heartier than most easterns, and a bit more aggressive eaters (especially with live minnows). Granted, some of this perception is skewed by interacting with them in the wild, but the captive bred I had was the most aggressive of the bunch. Beautiful snake. I actually think the comparison between the florida blue and the eastern is analagous to the comparison between the florida black bass and the largemouth (the florida version will out-eat and out-grow the northerner in a comparable warm-climate environment).

What do you mean by heartier?

And its ok, I assumed you were talking about sirtalis sirtalis :)

[the_edsta]

What do you mean by heartier?

And its ok, I assumed you were talking about sirtalis sirtalis :)

Probably not the right word, as with plants it indicates an ability to withstand cold and these are warm weather snakes!

I just mean that they eat well, grow well, and get fairly big. The couple captive bred I had did very well, though they seemed to be in hunting mode ALL of the time!

A strange coincidence, but I just talked to someone this afternoon who bred his captive bred florida blue with a local WC one and had a litter last month. I think I may pick one up, and if any of you guys want one, let me know!

[kueluck]

hhmmmm, that's very tempting, but I'm headed to the Myrtle Beach reptile show in two weeks. But I may get back to you after that.

[the_edsta]

I never see garters at reptile shows... I wish they'd come down here! Maybe I'll pick up a couple extra of the blues just for the heck of it!

[Eight]

I really wished I lived over there sometimes. What garters do you keep at the moment?

[the_edsta]

But you can have the san fran garter! Best of them all! I just have FL native WC and a pair of male parietalis...

[kueluck]

I think ALL garters are "best of them all". Each one has such a unique trait it's really hard to pick just one.
But you can have the san fran garter! Best of them all! I just have FL native WC and a pair of male parietalis...

[the_edsta]

How egalitarian of you!

I'd rather play favorites... besides, who doesn't want what they can't have?



I think ALL garters are "best of them all". Each one has such a unique trait it's really hard to pick just one.