hello from W. Michigan

[bulrush]

I'm new here but have been catching some type of garter snake in our local park for the past 3 springs. Last Sunday my son and I caught 3 garter snakes that were the typical black color with 3 yellow stripes.

I have posted an ID request for another snake which I think is a garter, but have not found a pic of its coloration on the internet.

Thanks.

[adamanteus]

Hi Chuck, and welcome to the forum.
I had a look at the photo in your other thread... looks almost like an Eastern 'Flame' to me... lucky you!

[enigma200316]

hello and welcome chuck................

[Sid]

Welcome to a great forum, Chuck. I'll take a look at your other post.

I agree with James....T. s sirtalis- Flame morph of an Eastern. Easterns do most commonly have dorsal strips, but it's not very unusual to find specimens where it is totally absent. On the left of this page, click on the "care sheet" and scroll down to common garter. You'll see a photo of one Eastern that is a deep green and no strips at all.

[Zephyr]

Actually, I'm going to be the rebel and say it's not a flame. It's what one of my guides calls the "northeastern" morph, notice that all the red is between the scales as opposed to on them. Usually specimens from our area have a little bit of the red, but some of them, such as yours, have quite a lot! *High red.*
Did I mention I'm from MI as well?

[drache]

welcome to the forum, Chuck
I'll go check out your snake on the other thread . . .

[anji1971]

Hello, and welcome! That snake looks similar to my Eastern, but the red markings are in a fairly wide band compared to mine. I don't think it's a flame though.

[zooplan]

hello again to Michigan, Chuck.

[Tori]

Welcome Chuck, I am another from West Michigan. I have been out hunting every weekend for the last couple of weeks and haven't found one garter yet. I'm guessing you are further south than me. We still had snow on the ground week before last and all this week it has rained. I have a young female that looks just like your find!

Tori

[Odie]

Hi, from Oregon, Chuck