Snake confused with Garters - Lined snake

[SilasBannook]

The neighborhood kids brought me the snake below asking what type of snake it was. It kind of has three stripes but it doesn't have the bars around the jaw line, doesn't have a clear demarcation below the lateral stripes, has a surprisingly small head and an equally surprisingly small tail. I know that in Colorado we only have four types of Garters native to our state {wandering, plains, blackneck, and red-sided}. This is neither of those and didn't seem like a morph.

I checked the site for the Colorado Herpetological Society and looked at the list of all the native snakes for the state and found that this little guy is actually a Lined Snake {Tropidoclonion lineatum (http://www.coloherps.org/reference/species/SpeTrli.htm)}. I never knew they existed. Figured I would share with the forum. This guy struck me as an ugly duckling of a Garter snake. Glad he actually fits in perfectly for his species.

[Light of Dae]

Ugly duckling is right lol But at least he fits in with his own kind. Like his belly, thats kinda neat.

[MCwyo]

I think he's cool looking! Love the tummy!

[Invisible Snake]

Nice looking ventral scales!

[ProXimuS]

I think he's pretty:)(His head does look a little small for his body though...:p)I really like the belly too!

[kibakiba]

Considering ordinoides and short headed garter snakes look similar to that.. I wouldn't consider it an ugly duckling. I think it's adorable. I prefer ordinoides, though, so I like their little heads.

[guidofatherof5]

Lined Snake. (Tropidoclonion lineatum) Awesome.
Earthworms, night crawlers, slugs and snails are on the menu. Also soft-bodied insects.

[i_heart_sneakie_snakes]

His belly is cool, but his smooth scales are weird to me.

[EasternGirl]

I think he's really cute...I like his little head...and his belly is awesome!

[SilasBannook]

The little head on this guy reminded me of the shrunken-head hunter in the movie Beetlejuice. I also liked the belly but still greatly prefer garters. This guy was quite squirmy and musked a lot. Not nearly as accommodating as a Garter.

[thamneil]

Very nice find!

[Selkielass]

Awww!
he is cute! I guess im used to seeing small heads on my Butlers, and the short headed garters I saw in Pennsylvania, because he just looks sweet.

Anyone know if this species is protected, or how it does in captivity if its available in the pet trade, cuz he's pushing my wishlist button..
. Must google...

[guidofatherof5]

I found this. Not that it helps much.

Reptiles* (http://wildlife.state.co.us/WildlifeSpecies/SpeciesOfConcern/Reptiles/Pages/ReptilesOfConcern.aspx)

[Mandi0284]

That is a really cool snake.

Question....where in CO do we have blacknecks? I might just have to go find some.

[guidofatherof5]

Found this. Not sure if it helps. It does discuss range though.
Thamnophis cyrtopsis (Black-necked Gartersnake, Blackneck Garter Snake) (http://www.iucnredlist.org/details/63975/0)