First post on forums - Help identify species

[megandawn]

Hi everyone! My name is Megan, and I'm brand new to the thamnophis forum. I have been poking around reading lots, and have been learning tonnes of information I had no idea about

I'm up in Canada, and the temperatures drop quite low here. In the fall of 2016, we had a freak snow storm come through. While closing the farm gate before leaving home, I noticed in the snow the shape of a snake. Turns out it was a smaller garter that hadn't found a place to hide before the storm hit. The snow didn't end up leaving whatsoever, so I decided to hold onto him, he seemed to adapt well into captivity. I had him eating little pinks in no time and feeding on the same schedule as everyone else. I ended up taking him into the vet for deworming, and a checkup as I decided to keep him permanently versus releasing come spring.

At first he was quite black, no spots with a fairly bright orange stripe. Each shed, he changed color. He's been developing more and more 'spots' (i'm uncertain of what to call them in Garters) than he had previously, and the orange stripe is no longer as prominent and is looking like it's going white. His under belly and sides are green.

I suspect him to be a Plains Garter of some type, but I am probably completely wrong. Does anyone have any opinions? I can get my DSLR out if needed for better quality photos. Thanks in advance everyone, I'm excited to have found such a great community!


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[BLUESIRTALIS]

100% plains

[Stormin Norman]

Where are you in Sask? I have 2 garters that have those spots on them. Both were found out by Martensville. I frequent my Mom's farm out by Leask and have never found any with the dark spots! And I have caught about 100 over the last 2 summers. Must be a slightly different gene pool between the two areas. Who knows.

[Stormin Norman]

Here are pics.20170828_123530.jpg

[Stormin Norman]

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[Eddie]

Nice Radix!!

[megandawn]

Where are you in Sask? I have 2 garters that have those spots on them. Both were found out by Martensville. I frequent my Mom's farm out by Leask and have never found any with the dark spots! And I have caught about 100 over the last 2 summers. Must be a slightly different gene pool between the two areas. Who knows.

Small world, you're about 10km away from me I'm in Dalmeny, I found this guy out at Dads house in Dalmeny. I've seen quite a few at the property in the rock pile (seems to be a den there) and haven't seen many like this guy. Very interesting that they're found local here but not much elsewhere. Looks like you and I need to go herping one day together. I've checked quite a few areas, especially around Regina when I lived there but hadn't found this species. If yours ever produce, you'll have to let me know.

Beautiful Radix you have also!!!

[megandawn]

100% plains

Thanks much, I thought so from all the research I've been doing between all the species. I appreciate the confirmation