Is this a garter snake?

[dishman123]

Hello everyone. We found a snake in our house today and figured that it was probably a garter snake. However, it was dark in the area and we weren't taking any chances, so I got it out of the house ASAP. Once I had it outside I took some pictures (links below).

http://img158.imagevenue.com/img.php...1_122_65lo.jpg
http://img31.imagevenue.com/img.php?..._122_427lo.jpg
http://img188.imagevenue.com/img.php..._122_252lo.jpg

From what I've read today, garter snakes generally have a stripe down the side, right? I don't see a clear stripe in my pics. So, I thought I should find a forum of experts who could chime in on this! Is this a garter snake or something else? And if it's something else, any clue as to what it is?

Thanks for your help. We're just trying to figure out if we should be worried or what to think. Oh, and one last thing... we live in southern Indiana if that helps.

[Stefan-A]

Nope, that is not a garter and if it's not dead in that picture, it will be within a few days.

As for what it is, I'm leaning towards a ratsnake (Pantherophis sp.) of some kind. Or prairie kingsnake. Not an expert on that clade.

[Spankenstyne]

Looks like a baby Black Rat Snake.

[drache]

poor thing
not a garter, but not dangerous, if that's what you're concerned about

[MasSalvaje]

Looks like a baby Black Rat Snake.

I second that.

-Thomas

[ssssnakeluvr]

probably a baby black rat....nearly dead...

[Quibble]

Poor thing is so broken...

[infernalis]

I'm speechless here, anything I say at this point is not going to be good......

Poor little snake.

[ConcinusMan]

You probably have cats if you didn't do that damage to the snake. It was in your house and it's fatally wounded. Looks like something "the cat dragged in"

Personally, I have a hard time understanding how that could be mistaken for a garter snake.

[Tyrel26]

.....what happened to it??? even if you were scared of it theres no reason to cause that much damage to it...its tiny, (if you didn't cause that damage i am sorry) Also if you know where it is now and its still alive its suffering should be ended but if you do that, please do it properly

dont be surprised if people here have negative comments, you have to realise that we care for snakes very much and most, if not all, of the people here wouldnt do that to a snake even if it was taking a bite out of them