Help Identifing Garters *Pics*

[zirliz]

Here are pics of my two Garters but I've no clue what species can anyone help me identify 'em?

This is Digits he/she seems to dislike been held
http://i147.photobucket.com/albums/r314/zirliz/Photo67.jpg

And my other Heartthrob so named as I lost one during summer to mites :(
http://i147.photobucket.com/albums/r314/zirliz/Photo57.jpg

[hjelte]

The top picture looks like a ribbon snake to me, thamnophis sauritus possibly. It has those characteristic white cheeks and long slender body! :)
The bottom one looks like a red sided sirtalis but wait for a more qualified person to answer! ;)

[Stefan-A]

I'd agree with the first one being a ribbon of some sort. It's also got the characteristic white dot in front of the eye and white labials, and the lateral stripe seems to be higher than on most garters. Then there's the head shape and slender body. But maybe a more qualified person could correct me. :)

[ssssnakeluvr]

The top one is a ribbon, unsure which species. The bottom looks like a red sided garter. Where are they from, that helps with ID, along with clearer pics. The valley garter looks similar also, but I'm gonna say red sider for now. Do you have any better pics?? Nice looking snakes too!!!

[zirliz]

http://i147.photobucket.com/albums/r314/zirliz/040406_161632.jpg younger one
Cute http://i147.photobucket.com/albums/r314/zirliz/DCF_0198.jpg

[Sid]

Hi Zirliz,

The first looks like an Eastern Ribbon- Thamnophis sauritus nitae. They normally have a blue to blue green color. I agree the other appears to be a red sided.

Sid

[Thamnophis]

Because the spots on top of the head look "big" and are not touching eachother I think that the first one is no T. sautritus, but a T. proximus. But A detailed picture of the side and top of the head would help to make sure.
In T. sauritus these spots are very small and mostly touch eachother.
The other snake looks like a T. sirtalis parietalis.

[zirliz]

Oh, really how confusing

[zirliz]

http://i147.photobucket.com/albums/r314/zirliz/SP_A0092.jpg

[zirliz]

One more thing if some said they had a Garter that was black with yellow stripes what species would you think you meant?

[Stefan-A]

Unfortunately, it could be almost any garter species.

[zirliz]

What if they used that description but said also has a bit of red on it?
I don't know many black Garters with yellow stripes

[Stefan-A]

It narrows it down a bit, but it's still a handful of species. Guessing would be useless, but T. sirtalis would be the most likely candidate. It's the most common garter species in captivity and certain subspecies fit the description.

Your parietalis, for example, could be described as a black garter with yellow stripes.

[zirliz]

Really? Hmm...

[Thamnophis]

The last picture is not clearing up the problem. Sorry.

[zirliz]

Ok http://i147.photobucket.com/albums/r314/zirliz/DCF_0260.jpg

http://i147.photobucket.com/albums/r314/zirliz/DCF_0261.jpg

[zirliz]

So uncooperative he hardly stays still bold Digits, Heart throb is much quieter

[Cazador]

Michelle,
Your camera keeps focusing on the background. Try holding your snake near the wall, so there is less of a depth difference between the snake and the background.
Rick

[Stefan-A]

..and that's why I'll never pay for a camera in a phone.

[zirliz]

It's a 3 mega pixial generally very good
Ok http://i147.photobucket.com/albums/r314/zirliz/DCF_0262.jpg
Top of head http://i147.photobucket.com/albums/r314/zirliz/DCF_0263.jpg
Thanks for the advice

[suzoo]

Hi Zirliz, I think I had the same problem with my pics. Trying to get close for a good pic, but getting too close, causing it to be blurry. Hard to find that happy medium!

[GarterGuy]

Well let's see, I'm guessing that the ribbon, the one with the dots on the head is some supspecies of T.proximus....Western Ribbon, the other snake I"d have to guess is some subspecies of T.sirtalis, best bet....count those scales....an accurate scale count always helps. The one pic of the garter though really does show a lot of the characteristics of T.s.parietalis RedSided Garter, especially with the bit o' red on it. But there's NO WAY I'd give that a definite.:D Only definites I'll give is T.proximus for the one and T.sirtalis for the other (and I'd really like to see a scale count just to be sure!)
Roy

[zirliz]

How is a scale count done?

[Thamnophis]

Biology - EPA/QPWS (http://www.epa.qld.gov.au/nature_conservation/wildlife/caring_for_wildlife/carers_kit/reptiles/biology/)

How to count scales (http://www.seanthomas.net/oldsite/scount.html)

[zirliz]

Oh, that looks very time consuming, I'll give it a shot though, not now maybe after I get some of my project of my 8,000 word essay on parasites on snakes done,

[Cazador]

I'd love to see the finished product!
Rick

P.S. In practice, scale counting only takes a moment if your snake holds. Putting it on a cool surface for a minute or two helps.

[GarterGuy]

You can also use a shed skin to count scales......easier than trying to count on a swirmy snake.:D

[Cazador]

I always seem to forget about that option! Thanks,
Rick

[zirliz]

You can also use a shed skin to count scales......easier than trying to count on a swirmy snake.:D

Really I've both of mine!