my mystery snake

[ssssnakeluvr]

it looks like a ribbon to me...not real sure which specific species it so tho....

[GarterGuy]

Ok, let's take a look at some things here (yeh, time to do some scalation checks)....let's look at all the species that share similar colour and shape. If it's a whipsnake, Masticophis sp., it will have a divided anal plate, and it's scales will be smooth and in 15 rows. If it's a Brown vine snake, Oxybelis aeneus (the only native species), scale rows are 17, only two postocular scales, 8-10 upper labials, and no loreal scale (didn't find info. as to whether anal plate is single or divided....hard to find good scale info. on these guys, since they just barely enter the US). As for the ribbon, it will have a single anal plate, scales that are keeled in 19 rows, 7-8 upper labials (two touch the eye) and three postocular scales. Figure let's find out what genus it is and then we can work on a possible species and subspecies.
Roy

[drache]

alright.
My eyesight isn't that great, even with the magnifying glass, but . . .
The scales are definitely keeled and after three times counting, Im pretty sure it's 19 rows. It's hard to see the postoculars - too tiny. Upper labials - 7. Single anal plate.
Also - there's more daylight today, so I can see that there is actually a dorsal stripe - it's just a really dark copper colour.
Hope that helps.

[adamanteus]

Still sounds like T. sauritus to me! Even more so with the upper labial count.

James.

[Thamnophis]

Still sounds like T. sauritus to me! Even more so with the upper labial count.

James.

I agree with James.

By the way... scalecounting is the easiest when you use a shedding for it.

[Valley Pets]

Yup.. Totally agree folks....
Ryan-Valley Pets

[GarterGuy]

OK, from all that it's sounding like it's a ribbon....now the species part of it. From looking through the text I've got and the pics you posted....I'm going to agree with everyone else and go with Eastern Ribbon, T.sauritus, further more, from the colouration of the snake I'd have to guess that it's a Northern Ribbon Snake (T.s.septentrionalis)....this is the only subspecies that is described as having it's dorsal stripe masked with brown pigment, which pretty much matches your description and the pics.
Roy

[drache]

well, Sean from the rescue took a look at my snake and it's definitely a Sauritus sauritus - mystery solved. Now it just needs to go to the vet. Sean told me the scarring is caused by nematodes.
He also told me that our vet is really good at switching garters to rodents. Ooohhh - those cyrtopsis I've been eyeing . . .
I'll have to ask him.

[Snaky]

He also told me that our vet is really good at switching garters to rodents. Ooohhh - those cyrtopsis I've been eyeing . . .

Don't get your hopes up to high that cyrtopsis will switch to rodents... I've had several th.c.c. and they didn't switch over, although my other garter accept it now easily.

[drache]

Okay - I won't get my hopes up too high.
I think I want them either way.
Sean seemed to indicate that the Doc has the magic touch and I can believe that.