Any idea on what type of garter snake this is?

[Eira]

I'm decently sure it's a garter snake, we live in Nova Scotia (eastern canada), I just want to know what kind!

I hope the photos I took aren't too bad. They are truly gigantic so I've linked to them instead!

http://i.imgur.com/lNK8L.jpg - a poorly lit over the top shot

http://i.imgur.com/Cuf81.jpg - a brighter over the top shot

http://i.imgur.com/UNjVa.jpg - a side shot, a little blurry, i'm sorry!

Here's the 10 gallon tank we're keeping him/her in. We've had her for 3 hours and she's already ate! We found her wild, so this is exciting! I'll try to get a bottom shot for gender later, after she digests her meal.

http://i.imgur.com/MyvuG.jpg

[infernalis]

looks like an Eastern Garter snake to me.. could be wrong.

[Invisible Snake]

I don't know what she is, but she is a beauty. Be careful not to leave her enclosure by the window on sunny days, because the sun could cause the temps in the enclosure to increase to an unhealthy level.

[ProXimuS]

That's a good thing to keep in mind. You will want to get a thermometer of some sort to monitor the temp in there, especially if it's gotta be by the window. This is the one I use :(Zoo Med brand)
6468
It's cool because you can just move that probe around to whatever part you want to know the temp.

As for what kind of garter, I would think eastern also, but I'm no pro. It looks like they do range in your area.

[Steveo]

I'm going with maritime garter. Maritime Garter Snake | Flickr - Photo Sharing! (http://www.flickr.com/photos/62430531@N05/7179155450/)

[katach]

I would tend to agree with Stevo. Also check out the caresheet. Lots of great info.
Garter Snake Forum - Garter Caresheet (http://www.thamnophis.com/index.php?page=caresheet)

[guidofatherof5]

I don't know what she is, but she is a beauty. Be careful not to leave her enclosure by the window on sunny days, because the sun could cause the temps in the enclosure to increase to an unhealthy level.

Good advice.

[Eira]

I hope it isn't a maritime garter! We've been told they're on sort of an endangered list here. We keep it by the window during the day for a little bit, but the actual spot is on top of a 5 foot bookshelf, away from the open window. A thermo is something we plan on getting!

I think for my conscience I'll say it's an Eastern Garter :p

Also, thanks for all the replies guys!

[ProXimuS]

You know, I started looking at Maritime garters and they do range in your area. When I was attempting to look at the range of the Eastern, I was only looking at Thamnophis sirtalis, not Thamnophis sirtalis sirtalis(I thought that looked like a pretty big range for one ssp...:p)So anyways, looks like actually no Easterns in your area, but yes Maritime garters. Hope they aren't endangered/protected...

[guidofatherof5]

Reptiles and Amphibians - Snakes - Maritime Garter Snake (http://museum.gov.ns.ca/amphibians/en/snakes/garter.asp)

[EasternGirl]

Yeah...I was going to say that it does not look like an eastern to me. Too much checkering and lack of dorsal stripe.

[ConcinusMan]

Yeah...I was going to say that it does not look like an eastern to me. Too much checkering and lack of dorsal stripe.

That means nothing. When trying to figure out if it's an eastern or a maritime, there's only one thing that's important to know: Location, location, location.

[ssssnakeluvr]

where was it found?

[BERSERKERSPARTAN]

Hey guys!, same question I'm looking for some opinions about what species it may be. I'm between Radix or Cyrtopsis. He eats fish and frogs eagerly but wont bite a slug or a nightcrawler despite hunger .Greetings from Mexico 6613 (This is Jake)

[ConcinusMan]

Welcome to the forum!

I don't think it's a cyrtopsis, and radix do not live in Mexico. Here's a list of other garter snakes that could possibly be found near Mexico city:

Thamnophis eques
Thamnophis melanogaster
Thamnophis pulchrilatus
Thamnophis scalaris
Thamnophis scaliger

[Invisible Snake]

I'm going with Cyrtopsis.

[Stefan-A]

I'm going to refrain from making any guesses. Along with most of the subspecies of T. proximus and T. sauritus, the Mexican species are still strange to me.

[BUSHSNAKE]

Hey guys!, same question I'm looking for some opinions about what species it may be. I'm between Radix or Cyrtopsis. He eats fish and frogs eagerly but wont bite a slug or a nightcrawler despite hunger .Greetings from Mexico 6613 (This is Jake)
Thamnophis pulchrilatus or Yellow Throated Garter Snake

[Stefan-A]

Thamnophis pulchrilatus or Yellow Throated Garter Snake
Is that a guess, or are you sure?

[BUSHSNAKE]

thats what it looks like to me and the location is correct so thats my quess

[thamneil]

Whatever it is it sure is neat looking!

[Invisible Snake]

After BUSHSNAKE's post, I did some googling and I'm inclined to agree with him. It is a Thamnophis pulchrilatu.

This is a link to site where I found pictures of Thamnophis pulchrilatu.

Mexican Highland Gartersnake (Thamnophis pulchrilatus) (http://www.naherp.com/photo.php?v_id=81341)

[snake man]

I think it is an awsome looking snake.

[ProXimuS]

I'm leaning towards cyrtopsis, but you guys would know better than I would. I haven't found too many pics of the pulchrilatus, but what I have found doesn't look too much like this one(to me at least). But also every animal of the same sp/ssp doesn't look exactly alike.

[thamneil]

Does anyone know if pulchrilatus are available outside of Mexico? The more pictures I see, the more I like this species.

[BERSERKERSPARTAN]

Acording to someone Cyrtopsis do range in Mexico, but I think It does look a lot like a pulchrilatus; I'll upload some other pics. Thanks to all and to ConcinnusMan & BUSHSNAKE

[EasternGirl]

I was going to say...ask Joe...but he beat me to it. :D

[ConcinusMan]

Acording to someone Cyrtopsis do range in Mexico

I assumed you found it near Mexico city. That would rule out cyrtopsis. The list I gave you are the only garter snakes found near Mexico city. It's not surprising people are thinking it's a cyrtopsis though. Several species of garter snakes in Mexico look very similar to cyrtopsis.

[Thamnophis]

Thamnophis pulchrilatus pictures (http://www.kousebandslangen.nl/thamnophis/2011_Thamnophis%20pulchrilatus%20pictures/album/index.html)

Look at these two pictures on my site. Love to place your pic in the album!

[BERSERKERSPARTAN]

This one is a month after the first shed, sorry for the pic, my camera was damaged. If you still want to use those pics, go ahead.
6688That lump is because it just had a bite when the shot was taken

[guidofatherof5]

Looking good.

[ConcinusMan]

http://www.thamnophis.com/forum/attachments/general-talk/6688d1347261502-any-idea-what-type-garter-snake-dsc00013.jpg

Oh yeah, definitely pulchrilatus. Wow, I like them. Wish I could have one, but here in the states, most garters native to south of the border are either rare in captivity here, and/or just too darned costly for my budget.

Just an observation, but if those rocks are loose, as in, not secured, lose them. Get them out of there. Dangerous for the snake. Snakes are quite strong and can topple or move them and get crushed or pinned.

[guidofatherof5]

Good observation about the rocks.

[ConcinusMan]

I've had it happen more than once. I just think there's no benefit to having them in the enclosure, just risk. The snake won't miss them. Recently (about a year ago) I even lost a baby concinnus to crushing. I was using an artificial stone "cave hide" which was fairly light compared to real stone, and made for reptile use, but I neglected one thing. It was sitting on top of a layer of substrate (aspen shavings) Snake got under it, and apparently it shifted down and...

If you want to use heavy objects like rocks/stones, make sure they are flat on the bottom so they don't tilt easily and so snakes can't get under. Also (very important) set them directly on the bare bottom of the enclosure, then add substrate around it.

[BERSERKERSPARTAN]

Oh, had no idea. Removing them right away, thanks for the advice...sorry for the little one.