Ribbon ID, western or eastern?

[hjelte]

Ok, so now I´m confused. As previously stated, the ribbon I got for about a month ago was labelled as a Florida blue garter in the pet store.
I identified him as a Ribbon on the spot, probably an eastern. But know after googling in absurdum, I´m not so certain.

Here´s a picture of him, showing body and head. Notice the "white" scales on both sides of his eyes, as well as the slightly tan dorsal stripe.

Can anybody please help me with determing what he is? The only thing I´m sure about at this point is that he ain´t a rubrilineatus:D

Thanks in advance!

[RedSidedSPR]

Western ribbon snake. T.p. proximus. (I think)

Awesome snake! Really purdy blue. Nice photo too, captures the color nicely.

[hjelte]

You know, that´s what I was suspecting! Thank you for your help! Really nice that you seem certain of it as well :)

And yeah, he´s a looker for sure ;)

edit: Here´s a shot of him in the flowerpot from about a minute ago!

[RedSidedSPR]

Yup. That purdy blue just screams proximus!

[guidofatherof5]

Maybe Thamnophis proximus orarius
Definitely not rubrilineatus.

[RedSidedSPR]

Ah.. yeah, could be orarius (gulf coast).

[RedSidedSPR]

Which do you have Steve?

[guidofatherof5]

Gulf Coast.

[RedSidedSPR]

That's what I thought.. I can't tell. Its a proximus, but I can't tell if it's proximus proximus or proximus orarius.:confused:

[guidofatherof5]

http://www.thamnophis.com/thamphotos/data//500/medium/proximus_range1.gif

[hjelte]

Damnit, I don´t have my copy of the Rossman book here at home now, I´ts in a friends basement. thanks for the scan Steve :)

[guidofatherof5]

I've got all the range maps. Let me know if you need any others.

[hjelte]

Great, thanks!
Here, I found this pic and think it looks pretty much exactly like my ribbon:

Ribbon Snakes - <i>Thamnophis sauritus</i> and <i>Thamnophis proximus</i>/P1060896 (http://herp-pix.org/thamnophis3/slides/P1060896.htm)

The orarius appears to be more "spotty" on the sides, but then again this of course could be individual variations I guess.

[guidofatherof5]

Tough to ID these ribbons.
They are such beautiful snakes.