New addition, species check?

[Charis]

Got a Petco rescue today, they've had him for quite awhile & I'd been thinking about getting him. Finally decided that even though I don't really have room, I can make some for him. They had him marked as Thamnophis sirtilis, I don't know much about the different species but do know there are 12 sub-species of sirtilis. Is he a sirtilis sirtilis or something else? Also I'm thinking it's a male & will try to get some better pictures to get your opinions. The picture isn't great, I'll try to get some better ones later. Thanks!

[guidofatherof5]

Very nice addition to your family. An underside of the tail photo will be best for sexing help.
Give him a little time to settle in and he should do fine.

[Stefan-A]

T. proximus. Or T. sauritus. I want to say T. sauritus sackenii, but I'm not sure.

[ssssnakeluvr]

definitely not sirtalis.....is a ribbon...not sure the exact species

[Charis]

The mexican ribbon, can't remember the Latin at the moment, looked pretty close. I haven't looked up the other ones that Stephan mentioned besides the T. proximus yet though.

[drache]

pretty snake

[Charis]

T. proximus. Or T. sauritus. I want to say T. sauritus sackenii, but I'm not sure.
You are good! I looked them up & I think he is a T. sauritus sackenii. In a few days I'll try & get some better pictures to confirm that though. He was a little upset by the car ride, so going to leave him alone for a few days first. Thanks for the I.D. :)

[Stefan-A]

The one thing that makes me want to reconsider that ID is the two parietal spots T. sauritus isn't supposed to have.

[Mommy2many]

Very pretty snake. Thanks for the rescue!

[Charis]

The different websites are somewhat confusing to me, but the first picture on this one really looks like him. Eastern Ribbon Snake (http://www.uga.edu/srelherp/snakes/thasau.htm)

[Calift]

I'm going with thamnophis sauritus sackenii.

Thats a tan back stripe, no?

[ConcinusMan]

Petco idiots. It's not a sirtalis at all. Anyone who knows anything can see that instantly. I wouldn't be surprised if they knew that too but wanted to get around a law. Pet store at the mall in my town still has clawed frogs, albinos. Because clawed frogs are considered an invasive species, they aren't allowed in WA as pets. So they labeled it "albino domesticated frog". The clerk and I laughed about that.

[mustang]

one of the petcos i goto (the one i dont like) did the same thing!

[Charis]

Got a few more pictures of Kip the other day, they still aren't great but better than the other one.

[Stefan-A]

I stand by my previous guess. But I'd love to have it confirmed or corrected.

[jitami]

Stefan, this wild T. sauritus sackenii from http://www.wildherps.com/species/T.sauritus.html looks to have parietal spots, too. I'm thinking you are right on with your id.

http://www.wildherps.com/images/herps/standard/04031328PD_ribbonsnake.jpg

[wolfpacksved]

a ribbon of some sort (not eastern or western). the first pic posted looked like a garter head sewn on to a patchnosed snake body.

[Spankenstyne]

Thamnophis sauritus sackenii would be my guess too.
Here's a shot pulled from the web (not my pic):

http://www.fototime.com/%7B5CABFDE8-D345-4359-928A-9CF7D0431B1D%7D/picture.JPG

[Charis]

From all the pics I've seen I'm in agreement with Stefan's I.D.
Does he look fairly healthy to everyone? Nothing obviously wrong? There's nothing in particular that I'm worried about, just wanting general reassurance. Thanks for all the replies!

[Stefan-A]

Should have checked the literature. The Rossman et al. book says this about T. sauritus: "Parietal spots often lacking, when present small and rarely fused or bright;"

[Charis]

Kip went AWOL about 36 hours ago. So I've been doing the whole protocol for finding escapees, but so far no luck. Guess I'll just have to wait & see. ~Fingers crossed!~

[infernalis]

Oh no, bummer. good luck.

[drache]

good luck with that

[Mommy2many]

Hope you find KIP!

[guidofatherof5]

Hope you find Kip soon.
Don't forget to look up in your search.