Help Identifing Garters *Pics*

[suzoo]

Hi Zirliz, I think I had the same problem with my pics. Trying to get close for a good pic, but getting too close, causing it to be blurry. Hard to find that happy medium!

[GarterGuy]

Well let's see, I'm guessing that the ribbon, the one with the dots on the head is some supspecies of T.proximus....Western Ribbon, the other snake I"d have to guess is some subspecies of T.sirtalis, best bet....count those scales....an accurate scale count always helps. The one pic of the garter though really does show a lot of the characteristics of T.s.parietalis RedSided Garter, especially with the bit o' red on it. But there's NO WAY I'd give that a definite. Only definites I'll give is T.proximus for the one and T.sirtalis for the other (and I'd really like to see a scale count just to be sure!)
Roy

[zirliz]

How is a scale count done?

[Thamnophis]

Biology - EPA/QPWS

How to count scales

[zirliz]

Oh, that looks very time consuming, I'll give it a shot though, not now maybe after I get some of my project of my 8,000 word essay on parasites on snakes done,

[Cazador]

I'd love to see the finished product!
Rick

P.S. In practice, scale counting only takes a moment if your snake holds. Putting it on a cool surface for a minute or two helps.

[GarterGuy]

You can also use a shed skin to count scales......easier than trying to count on a swirmy snake.

[Cazador]

I always seem to forget about that option! Thanks,
Rick

[zirliz]

You can also use a shed skin to count scales......easier than trying to count on a swirmy snake.

Really I've both of mine!