The Confusion Continues (ID thread)

[Ameivaboy]

Ok, so I know some members have thought this animal to be a valley garter but after reviewing many pictures (internet,field guides etc etc)
I'm still a bit confused as to the identity of this snake







Now I can see similarities between 3 species (subspecies)
Concinnus,Pickeringii, and fitchi

since i can only post 4 pictures per post let me post again with more : ^ )

[Ameivaboy]

now if you looks at the way the red an black go on the pattern compare that to an oregon red spot




versus a valley




even though this valley doent have the red cheeck my animal does have the red check as is seen in many valleys

[Ameivaboy]

now look at the blueish tinti of the animal and side stripes,

similiar to pickeringii yes???







so i know all 3 ranges meet so could it be a mix of all 3?? is it just one??
what are your thoughts???

[Ameivaboy]

here's one more shot of the animal in questions side showing colors etc
(just like many pugets the color is quite hard to capture)

[Thamnophis]

This is a difficult snake to identify.
Could be an interbreed.
Do you know the location where it came from?

[Ameivaboy]

all i know is northern oregon
my origional thought was concinnus x puget

[Chad Lane]

even though this valley doent have the red cheeck my animal does have the red check as is seen in many valleys

Most Valley Gaters don't have Red Checks, according to my findings. If they do, you might want to tell the over 100 snakes I've found they are not wearing there colors hehe

Good looking snake none the less, and what ever it is haha

Cheers,
Chad

[Thamnophis]

all i know is northern oregon
my origional thought was concinnus x puget

Could be possible.
My guess is you will never know for sure.

[ssssnakeluvr]

I still say valley garter, fitchi...I have fitchi with spots like your red spot....
http://www.donsgartersnakes.net/pictures/slide163.jpg

this link should work, goes to my valley garter pic...it was mislabeled by my friend that does the site, says from Idaho, but is actually from Utah...

[Chad Lane]

That snake you posted is not a Valley Garter fitchi. Looks nothing like it. Had pattern is way off. Looks more like a Red Sided....


Cheers,
Chad