Identification request.

[Bart]

Well, hello there! It's been a while!

Lately, I had a second thoughts about my izy - if he's really red-sided garter snake (T. s. parietalis). I mean, there are some photos of valley garter snakes (T. s. fitchi), that look exactly like my Izy. So - what are the differences?

PS. I'd love to buy a female for my boy. Anyone knows a breeder in Europe I can contact with to aquire one?

Izy:
145301453114532

[guidofatherof5]

Is this a local snake for you? If so, What State do you live in? Wild caught or Captive bred?

[Eddie]

Looks like a low red parietalis to me. Fitchi that I have had have darker head tops and red cheeks. But hard to tell for sure. Nice snake either way!

[Bart]

Nope. I live in Cetral Europe so no native garters for me, Steve... :( Captive bred. But I bought him like 6 years ago (or even 7) and I lost contact with the breeder. I bought him as red-sided tho'.

[Albert Clark]

I went into the "bible" of Garter Snakes Evolution and Ecology looking for answers and it seems some of the differentiation can be found within the dorsal or vertebral and paravertebral striping. As well as the lateral striping. As Eddie said, the coloration seems to be more well defined in fitchi. I think that may be very variable in cases with some individuals.

[Bart]

There's no trace of red at his cheeks. :) Thanks for answers.

Anyway, how long your average T. sirtalis male lives? As my journal of Izy suggests ( http://www.thamnophis.com/forum/general-talk/8902-isis-diary.html - this is why it's worth of starting one!), he's around his six.

[sirtalis01]

Looks like parientalis or Red side garter...