Colors in Garters

[Ctah_Lu]

Hi everybody, i have read that are colors like hypomelanistic, anerythristic, amelanistic, etc. and i want to know what kind of coloration must have a snake to be considered in any of these groups and how many color variations are (only the main ones). I been loking for this info for a long time but wasnt able to find a well explained article.

Thanks, see you.

[RedSidedSPR]

The term would be morph, rather than color, and there's a ton of variations for most species/subspecies.

Here's a list of most, if not all, of them: Scott Felzer's Garter Snakes, specializing in aberrant garters

It all has to do with genetics, if you want a detailed explanation, here's a good article: Garter Snake Morph

[Ctah_Lu]

Thanks, that information was what i been looking for.

[ConcinusMan]

the traits you mentioned are often mutations. There are a lot of color variations and phases that aren't mutations too. Such as, red T. radix, which technically you could call "erythristic" but I don't think it's a mutated gene that's responsible. Same goes for erythristic T. oridnoides. They're not mutants either but melanistic ones do have a mutated recessive gene. It's complicated and there are a lot of different things to learn but stick around for a year or two and you'll know them all.

[Artic Exotics]

Oh and there is polymorphism. Essentially where a snake in the wild has the ability to be several different colors or patterns naturally. For example in my T. Ordinoides, all three of my adults are bright bright red. Their babies were 5 yellow, one orange-yellow, one blue ( the only FTT :/) and one red.

I can not find the photo credit for this and I hate to post something that does not belong to me, but it is a great example of what i am referring to and if anyone does have the photo credits for this please do post it so that they can get credit for their work.
northwestern-gartersnake-polymorphism-thamnophis-ordinoides.jpg

[guidofatherof5]

Ordies are awesome.

[Artic Exotics]

I know right? I was soo stoked when that blue was born. Male too im pretty sure (im badly female heavy). He made it looking completely healthy for 3 days and mysteriously passed without warning. It was like SIDS for garters or something- im just calling it a FTT. But the rest of the babies just thrived so I will be repeating the pairing this year. Been hoping for a lime for years (for sentimental reasons)but yeah I just love the polymorphism.

[d_virginiana]

A fair amount of Eastern morphs are naturally occurring too. Erythristics can be found near the NC/SC coasts, Florida blues are pretty common, and I think flames can be found in the wild too. For some reason I'm thinking Canada? Could be wrong.
They don't usually look the same in the wild though, most of these are made from crossing wc snakes with those traits with each other to get extreme versions.

Garters eventually turn into an expensive version of pokemon. Once you realize there are so many kinds, you have to get them all.

[SilasBannook]

You are right on the Pokemon analogy. With all the diiferent colors and personalities I feel the same way. Totally jealous of the forum members who are able to manage large collections.

[Frenchie]

Yes you are right for the "Flames" they are found in Quebec.