Ribbon Snake ID

[NickB]

I'm picking this guy up tomorrow but I'm a bit of a noob when it comes to IDing Ribbon Snakes. Am I right in thinking this is Thamnophis sauritus sauritus (Eastern Ribbon Snake)?

[Stefan-A]

Leaning towards T. proximus proximus, but I'm far from certain.

[NickB]

Is it just the two dots on the head that separate Proximus from Sauritus? Now you've mentioned it I've done some googling but that's all I can come up with.

[Stefan-A]

It's not the only difference, but it's the easiest difference to spot. Telling them apart is a real pain in the ***.

[NickB]

It's not the only difference, but it's the easiest difference to spot. Telling them apart is a real pain in the ***.

Is there a scale count I can use?

[guidofatherof5]

This is from The Garter Snake Evolution and Ecology by Rossman, Ford and Seigel.
Not sure it will be much help.

[NickB]

It is helpful, I just need to learn how to count the scales now! I had a wiki of Dorsal Scales and it looks like there is a particular way to count them. I will have to wait for the snake to shed anyhow.

[guidofatherof5]

Snake scales - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

How to count scales

[NickB]

Snake scales - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

How to count scales

Thank you, that's great

[guidofatherof5]

Can the seller give you any info. I'm guessing they were imported so there must be some info. somewhere. Maybe where they were collected?