Extremes in appearance

[Hollis_Steed]

Out of the several T.e.vagrans I saw yesterday, these two were interesting to me because of the extreme difference in appearance. the larger of the two, which appears to be a male, is very melanistic with slight pattern visibly in his black body. The smaller of the two, which appears to be female, is very light colored and heavily checkered. They are both quite different, visually, than my T.e.vagrans female Jane. Interesting how there can be such variation within species/subspecies. That's one of the things I enjoy, no two are exactly alike.

[infernalis]

Wanderings are so cool. Nice snakes.

[guidofatherof5]

Such variety. Very nice looking snakes. Thanks for posting.

[redspot]

Yeah Garters are cool for that!

[ssssnakeluvr]

very nice! they are extremely variable in patterns...I have seen green, gray, and brown, with minimal checkers to exaggerated checkers.....

[BUSHSNAKE]

nice pair

[drache]

beautiful snakes
the one on the right looks a lot like mine
the one on the left is very cool looking - like a vagrans version of Sammy, my favourite garter (a t.s.sirtalis)

[Hollis_Steed]

I kind of like these two. They're kinda growing on me. I'm thinking maybe "Blackie" (not too original), and "checkers"

[ConcinusMan]

Yeah, you think that's extreme, these are ALL T. ordinoides found within the same small geographic area! Often you can find this wide variation basking together on the same rock or log!

http://img257.imageshack.us/img257/5274/gedc1462.jpg

[Hollis_Steed]

Fascinating! I love it! I used to look at T.e.vagrans as just an ugly old garter snake. Now I am seeing their beauty in a whole new way. I now have W/C (plain)Jane, Blacky, and checkers and they could be completely different snakes as far as I'm concerned. They look different and they behave differently. I thought that I would have to get snakes from some far away exotic place to really have something to enjoy...who knew I would find such wonder and entertainment right here in my own backyard! Not to mention my T.s. fitchi (no name). I'm having a ball getting to now my new guests.

[redspot]

I thought that I would have to get snakes from some far away exotic place to really have something to enjoy...who knew I would find such wonder and entertainment right here in my own backyard!

It's funny I thought the same thing, I kept thamnophis as a kid but that was in an aquarium in my back yard at the age of 8. Since then I've kept tons of snakes from all over the world before I collected several concinnus from right near my house. I keep them in a 3'x2'x2' enclosure and they are some of the most personable captives I've kept.

Nate

[infernalis]

Same here, I really enjoy my exotics, but I am obsessed with garters.

[Spankenstyne]

Jeff, nice representation of the variation. Enjoyed the pic & feel free to share more. It's nice to see shots of some of the less commonly kept stuff with the more subtle beauty. elegans are so underappreciated even for garters, which really says something lol.

[Hollis_Steed]

I gotta ask though...Is there a known cure for this "garter snake disease"? I think my disease is getting worse. I love these guys!!

[Tyrel26]

QUOTE "I gotta ask though...Is there a known cure for this "garter snake disease"? I think my disease is getting worse. I love these guys!!"

There is no cure other than our own death! lol but there is a treatment!! Take 2 garter snakes per day......and send them to me. I know this won't help you much but it well help my "garter snake disease", or as I like to call it Thamnophisaddictus, a great deal :D

[guidofatherof5]

I gotta ask though...Is there a known cure for this "garter snake disease"? I think my disease is getting worse. I love these guys!!

There's no known cure.
All we can do is self medicate. Injections of more snakes.

[ConcinusMan]

That's funny Steve. Notice how he skipped right past the pills and patches, and recommended injections. He's right!