I really don't know if it matters. I have 2 Easterns (Thamnophis sirtalis parietalis) , one melanistic who is super friendly and just wants to hang out around your neck, and the other erythristic who is more on the shy side but not fearfull. I also have a Red sided (Thamnophis sirtalis parietalis) who is my best friend one moment, then the next will chew on you until your husband comes along with a pair of tongs to pry her mouth open so you can get your hand, finger or whatever body part she's grabbed out of her mouth. Also have a tiny baby Florida Blue (Thamnophis sirtalis similis)but to early to tell, but she's calming down day by day. All mine are active during the day, always looking to see what's going on in the world around them. One of the reasons I love these critters.