Yes, that is a real garter

[chris-uk]

Is this a real snake? - Reptile Forums (http://www.reptileforums.co.uk/forums/snakes/978522-real-snake.html)

Thread on RFUK that's a bit interesting. Have a read if you want to see the ignorant converted by a photo of a concinnus. :)
I think it's an enhanced photo of a concinnus, but it's amusing that the poster was questioning whether it was real at all.

[jwolfe152]

yea the colors look like they was played with a little bit but probably not much at all great looking snake though

[-MARWOLAETH-]

Looks like someone was trying to make a concinnus look like and infernalis but ended up with a deformed tetra

[guidofatherof5]

I think it's real....nice.:D

[snake man]

Looks like the garters are getting some well deserved respect from that post.

[Stefan-A]

Looks like the garters are getting some well deserved respect from that post.
Only the paint job, of one subspecies of one species.

[snake man]

Only the paint job, of one subspecies of one species.
Well, you gotta start somewhere I guess.