Help with I.D.

[ScimitarX]

Hey guys, heres the story.

We ordered a pair of garters as we want some in our shop, our suppliers had some called "Northern Garters". Ive been waiting to see just what species they are. So today they arrived. I opened the box they were sent in and found these (bad pic i know, was taken on my mobile phone, this is the bluest one).

I think they could be Pugets, but im not too sure. They have a base colour of black, blue under belly, ventral and dorsal stripes are also blue and the area of the mouth is also blue.

I will probably keep these, they are fairly underweight and their skin is in poor condition, but they are alert and surprisingly friendly, maybe a future breeding pair when ive got them in good health again.

[adamanteus]

Sorry Claire, from the picture I wouldn't like to guess.
Where are 'Northern Garters'? In the US?

[ScimitarX]

I've had look to see if I could find anything about Northern Garters, but there is little to be found regarding area and scientific name. I will try for better pics that will show the colours better. But they definitely look like the puget pics on this site, same shades of blue and the stripes look identical.

[ssssnakeluvr]

Northern garters?? must be a new species!!! :rolleyes: a clearer group of photos would help with id...:D

[el lobo]

that would suck if they are hybrids.

[Stefan-A]

My best guess is T. sirtalis pickeringii, but it's really hard to tell from that picture.

Which species/subspecies have a narrow dorsal stripe?

[adamanteus]

Sorry, I mis-read your post, I thought 'Northern Garters' was the name of your supplier.:rolleyes:

[ScimitarX]

Ok, I have managed to get some better pics for I.D purposes.


http://www.thamnophis.com/thamphotos/data//500/medium/133952.jpg





http://www.thamnophis.com/thamphotos/data//500/medium/134153.jpg

[ssssnakeluvr]

well....still a bit blurry, but does look like pickeringi

[GartersRock]

Hmmm. I dunno. Maybe intergrade?