Snake ID (scale counting)

[guidofatherof5]

I thought posting this link might be helpful and also explain the process. Counting and knowing the results is only half the battle.
You must then know what those numbers mean.
The book "The Garter Snakes: Evolution and Ecology" serves as a good source for what snake/s match up to the scale counts found.
Here's an example from the book.
This is for Thamnophis marcanius (Checkered Garter)


How to count scales
head scales

[Mrs N1ntndo]

Im still confused and dont understand this...sorry

[guidofatherof5]

Each species and subspecies has a particular scale count. Lateral stripe row location and facial scale count.
I have to admit the different terms used in the diagrams as compared to the book quote are confusing.
I apologize for that. I should have done a better job prepping the diagrams.


Example:T.radix

"Dorsal scale in a maximum of 21 or 19 rows(frequently only 19 on neck)"

This diagram shows the two different ways to count the dorsal scales. Then this number is X2 for the total count(Left and right side of snake)



"Supralabials(Upper labial scales) usually 7 or 8 and infralabials(lower labial scales) 9 or 10."


"Maxillary teeth 20 to 27" (this is usually not used to ID a live animal)

"Light laterial stripe usually confined to rows 3 and 4"




Once you have done all the scale counting and dorsal row/s location you take that information along with the range of snakes that live in your particular area you should be able make an identification of the snake in question or at least know what it isn't.

I hope this helps and doesn't make thing more confusing.

[RedSidedSPR]

It does. Thanks very much

[guidofatherof5]

Did a little work on this diagram.

[Light of Dae]

Christmas spirit eh? lol red n green? Thanks for this bit

[guidofatherof5]

Christmas spirit eh? lol red n green? Thanks for this bit

Never thought about it at the time but it does workout well for this time of the year.

[jwolfe152]

hey guys i saw this and thought it may help some of the new people with id's in areas that might have multiple snakes

[chris-uk]

Scale counts are useful to a point, but it won't help you distinguish between subspecies. Often the location the snake is from is more useful.
However, I'm not knocking scale counts as a useful tool, and if anyone does count scales and doesn't have a copy of Garter Snakes Ecology and Evolution to compare them against there are plenty of members with the book who can look at the relevant pages.

[guidofatherof5]

Many times it is location, location, location.