Butlers Garters- color variations

[Selkielass]

Here are some pictures showing the variations in coloration I have found in Butlers garter snakes from the same area.
Bothe of these individuals were caught along the same quarter mile stretch of railroad tracks.

http://www.thamnophis.com/thamphotos/data//500/medium/dcp_1715.jpg

The red snake is Trax- the same snake I posted pictures of when I found her skinny and battered earlier this summer. She has shed several times and bore a litter of seven babies.
The dark colored snake is Scarlet. (Confused yet?) She was caught after having her babies, and has not shed for me yet.

Facial coloration. Scarlet upper, Trax lower.
http://www.thamnophis.com/thamphotos/data//500/medium/dcp_1697.jpg

Dorsal coloration.
http://www.thamnophis.com/thamphotos/data//500/medium/dcp_1705.jpg

Belly contrast. Trax's coloration is unusually red for Butlers found in this area. Scarlets greenish belly and dark dorsal coloration is more typical of snakes I've found. 'Sang' the mother of the other litter I posted pictures of is of the more common coloration.
http://www.thamnophis.com/thamphotos/data//500/medium/dcp_1709.jpg

[guidofatherof5]

Very nice.
They look good and healthy.;)

[RedSidedSPR]

They're both really cool!

[Selkielass]

Trax has really Bloomed while in my care.
Scarlet was in good shape when I found her, other than looking a bit flabby around the lateral stripes from having just given birth. (She had love handles, I swear!) She has rounded back out nicely after a few meals and I hope she sheds soon so I can see if her colors become any more intense.

[ssssnakeluvr]

the darker one is getting ready to shed.... look at the blueness of the belly....
they are sweet too!

[Mrs N1ntndo]

I can not believe that I didnt see this thread and Im sorry that I didnt even notice until today that you are from Michigan. You have some beautiful snakes. I used to have a Butler and I have some pictures of the one I have somewhere but I dont know where yet. I havent seen any Butlers in a couple years which such cause Id like to have another one. Where abouts are you located again?

[sschind]

Nice pics. I don't want to hijack the thread but if you are into Butlers and morphs check out this thread.

Albino Butlers Garter & Case Closed (http://www.wireptiles.com/forums/index.php?topic=5586.0)


I'm not into morphs but I think I just may have to invite myself to Carl's house to check this thing out myself.

[Selkielass]

March 2012 Fist snake of spring; 'Rooster' T. Butlerii
15 inches long (5 inches smaller than average adult female size) Quite delicately built.
http://www.thamnophis.com/thamphotos/data//500/medium/Rooster_1.jpg (http://www.thamnophis.com/thamphotos/showphoto.php?photo=10496&title=rooster-t-26gt-3b-butlerii&cat=500)

http://www.thamnophis.com/thamphotos/data//500/medium/Rooster_pencil.jpg (http://www.thamnophis.com/thamphotos/showphoto.php?photo=10500&title=rooster-t-26gt-3b-butlerii&cat=500)

http://www.thamnophis.com/thamphotos/data//500/medium/Rooster_2.jpg (http://www.thamnophis.com/thamphotos/showphoto.php?photo=10497&title=rooster-t-26gt-3b-butlerii&cat=500)

One of the identifying characteristics of T. Butlerii are the lateral stripes centered on the third row of lateral scales- this photo shows them very well.
http://www.thamnophis.com/thamphotos/data//500/medium/Rooster_Laterals.jpg (http://www.thamnophis.com/thamphotos/showphoto.php?photo=10498&title=rooster-t-26gt-3b-butlerii&cat=500)

Although he's fresh from the field, Rooster is fat and very healthy looking- just get a load of this irridescence on his belly scales;

http://www.thamnophis.com/thamphotos/data//500/medium/Rooster_irridescence.jpg (http://www.thamnophis.com/thamphotos/showphoto.php?photo=10499&title=rooster-t-26gt-3b-butlerii&cat=500)

[guidofatherof5]

You are right. Looks good and healthy. Thanks for posting.

[BUSHSNAKE]

very nice, i love butleri

[EasternGirl]

Very pretty! Sweet face too.

[Selkielass]

Cranky
19 inches, 29 grams, streong red belly coloration, similar to 'Trax'.
Unusually long male. Very scarred- probably quite old.
Feisty- struck my hand at least 6 times when I caught him, but was unable to break skin. Did 'barrel rolls' in my hands trying to get me to loose him.
Has a lump on his side above his vent that seems to cause him no discomfort. Parasite?
http://www.thamnophis.com/thamphotos/data//500/medium/dcp_1796crop_resized.jpg

http://www.thamnophis.com/thamphotos/data//500/medium/dcp_1795crop_resized.jpg

http://www.thamnophis.com/thamphotos/data//500/medium/dcp_1792crop.jpg

http://www.thamnophis.com/thamphotos/data//500/dcp_1793crop.jpg

This fellow is available for adoption if anyone is interested in a real 'survivor' type snake. I'll see if he adapts to captivity if anyone is interested in him otherwise I'll release him where found. He's been a gentleman since I got him home, but I'm not sure I'd trust him around kids- I've never had a Butler try to bite me before.

[guidofatherof5]

Good looking old snake.
The lump could be about anything. Adding age into the equation only ups the possibilities.

[Selkielass]

I think this fella could be Trax's Daddy, uncle or Granddaddy- the similarity of coloration is striking.
the lump is soft, and seems to me to be between the skin and the muscles. There are some small scars in the vicinity, but there is very little of this snake that is completely scar free. He didn't mind being touched on the lump any more than he minded any other handling, so i don't think it's causing him pain.
Drat, Iwish my camera were better.

[guidofatherof5]

You could always open it up with a small incision. There should be minimal pain and very little blood loss.
This way you can see if it's an infection(pus) or maybe a subcutaneous worm. Might also be a benign tumor.

[BUSHSNAKE]

a liitle butler

[EasternGirl]

So adorable! Pretty colors.

[Selkielass]

a liitle butler

Ohh, nice! Youve done a great job capturing the rosy reddish brown that some of these snakes have.
Its hard to capture on film (Well, for me anyway.) but the difference is distinct when you see a red toned individual next to one dominated by the yellowish or tan undercoloring.
I'm really hoping Cranky survives and thrives long enough to produce a litter or two with Trax. These two are the reddest overall individuals I have found, and I hope their descendants show interesting color development.
Are these from my stock (Via Steve?)

[Selkielass]

Rooster and Trax
Happy buddies
http://www.thamnophis.com/thamphotos/data//500/thumbs/DSC000112.JPG (http://www.thamnophis.com/thamphotos/showphoto.php?photo=10627&title=trax-and-rooster&cat=500)

Getting Plumpy? Maybe, or maybe just fat from good living. If pregnant it is proably from retained sperm, and not from Roosters attentions.

http://www.thamnophis.com/thamphotos/data//500/thumbs/DSC000041.JPG (http://www.thamnophis.com/thamphotos/showphoto.php?photo=10624&title=butler-tall-habitat&cat=500)