Brand new Thamnophis! :D

[Zephyr]

Today I went herping on a new side of the 3 peninsulas the local river cuts into. After checking the area last year, in early fall, I found nothing but a baby eastern. I returned this year with high hopes and was let down in the beginning. GREATLY. The first snake I found was a dead, shriveled MELANISTIC eastern... However, I quickly found more snakes, mostly adult female easterns, but my friend's sister spotted what I now believe to be a female butler's. However, best of all, I pulled out 2 small butler's males, which weren't even recorded in the area! I kept one of the little dudes, pics soon. So, who else can find these guys? :D

[adamanteus]

Let's see those pics. Kyle!

[adamanteus]

By the way... did you photograph the dead melanistic?

[Zephyr]

By the way... did you photograph the dead melanistic?Unfortunately no. My friend only had her camera, I forgot mine... However, she does have pics of me with the massive eastern I caught. Big female with high red... Found her twice. XD
In fact, if when we return to the area later in the week and I find her, I may just keep her. XD

[Zephyr]

http://img502.imageshack.us/img502/2830/img0500kw4.jpg
Cute little spot on his head. X3

I'm thinking the ID books have it wrong...
http://img363.imageshack.us/img363/8347/img0491up7.jpg

[Zephyr]

What I mean by the ID books being wrong is that it appears that the stripe is only on 4 near the head. Otherwise, the stripe is on 2+3 with a chocolate/brown stripe on 1.

[adamanteus]

I'm thinking the ID books have it wrong...

Where do you think they are wrong, Kyle? The ID books state 'lateral stripe on scale row 4 anteriorly', ie near the head!

[Zephyr]

Where do you think they are wrong, Kyle? The ID books state 'lateral stripe on scale row 4 anteriorly', ie near the head!
Ne'ermind. XD
I've seen other sources *googling for them at the moment* say the stripe overlaps onto 4 through along the whole body.
By the way, on a more interesting note, I've decided to name the snake James. lol

[Sid]

Nice Garter, Kyle.

[adamanteus]

Ne'ermind. XD
I've seen other sources *googling for them at the moment* say the stripe overlaps onto 4 through along the whole body.
By the way, on a more interesting note, I've decided to name the snake James. lol

Good choice of name! And excellent T.butleri find!:D

[Zephyr]

Good choice of name! And excellent T.butleri find!:DI've always wondered why it's a separate species from T. sirtalis... From one article I just read it states that butler's are neotenous form of T. radix.

[ssssnakeluvr]

Nice Butler's.....hint hint....:eek:

[enigma200316]

nice butler's kyle, are you allowed to keep them where you live.........:)

[Zephyr]

nice butler's kyle, are you allowed to keep them where you live.........:)
Checked with the DNR on that a few months ago, it's 150% legal. :D
So I'ma start a captive breeding project. Obviously, we need more of this handsome garter in collections.

[enigma200316]

Checked with the DNR on that a few months ago, it's 150% legal. :D
So I'ma start a captive breeding project. Obviously, we need more of this handsome garter in collections.


sweet, good luck with that and remember to keep us updated.........:)

[drache]

very nice, Kyle
great finds again

[jeanette]

very nice :)

[person365]

yes It was found near an andiamos italian restaraunt Kyle might take me herping and see if there are more butlers because he talked to the DNR (department of natural rescources) he needs to find 2 females to confirm that the species is in the area.