I cant tell the difference lol

[slipknot711]

you think i would have been here long enough to tell the difference between eastern garters and ribbons by now... I have two wild caught and a baby (so cute) all eating great and VERY active. OH and perfect sheds btw YAY. my baby and (female?) are checkered garters. but the other one (male?) doesnt have the noticable checker pattern i usually see. but i think its a garter. im not good at counting the scales between stripes. Is there anything else that can help me decifer if its a ribon or a garter? oh and btw RI doesnt have too many ribbons especially the lot i got HIM from. Ill get some pics tonight after work. but any help would be appreciated

[guidofatherof5]

Those photos will be a great help. A Google search of both snakes should give you many photos to compare.

[slipknot711]

i tried google searching, ill look again tho. and yes ill get those pics! ty

[guidofatherof5]

i tried google searching, ill look again tho. and yes ill get those pics! ty

http://www.dem.ri.gov/programs/bnatres/fishwild/pdf/risnakes.pdf
Species Profile: Eastern Ribbon Snake (Thamnophis sauritus) | SREL Herpetology (http://srelherp.uga.edu/snakes/thasau.htm)

[joeysgreen]

The uncoloured labial/lip scales should provide easy ID for your three animals, though there is a lot of individual variation. Also look for the light coloured loreal scale (in front of the eye) on your ribbon snake, whereas they aren't often like this in gartersnakes.

I hate to sound preachy, but if ribbonsnakes are that uncommon in Rhode Island perhaps it should have been left in the wild? The ribbonsnake is listed as a species of concern in your state (and many others).
http://www.rinhs.org/wp-content/uploads/ri_rare_animals_2006.pdf
It's status may have been upgraded to threatened or endangered since 2006.

[slipknot711]

ty. this is why i had asked the question. i didnt want to keep it if it was a ribbon. but its just a garter so everyone can relax now. thnx for the help i appreciate it.

[guidofatherof5]

But a ribbon is a garter:D Just messing with you.;)

[slipknot711]

haha dont start with that now!