T.s. dorsalis

[zooplan]

We had a big discussion about how to recognize the New-Mexico Garter Snake.
There are contradictory informations about the propotion of red to black in its pattern.
Now I found that they should have 21-19-17 dorsal scale rows.
This would be a fine key to the subspeci.
Can anbody verify this?

[ssssnakeluvr]

hmmmm...I will have to look it up in the garter snake bible... I have 2 pics of them, the have alternating red and black spots along the side stripe and a black stripe along the vertebral stripe....

[joeysgreen]

WHich bible would this be? I'll have to add it to my "need to get list"

Ian

[ssssnakeluvr]

thats what I call the book by Rossman, The Garter Snakes: Evolution and Ecology. Good book!!!!

[Stefan-A]

Most likely meant:

Douglas A Rossman, Neil B Ford, Richard A Seigel: The Garter Snakes – Evolution And Ecology
ISBN 0-8061-2820-8

[zooplan]

yea, because it is as old as the bible

many new studies were made since this book was written, but its still the most important resource for species informations and of course its in my libary too

it is really no "need to get" but a "must have" thing to every serious garter keeper

[Stefan-A]

Just 11 years old. But is was written at a time when they for example weren't convinced that T. s. infernalis should be a subspecies.

[GarterGirl]

I don't think drache has that book yet but I will tell her about it.
She probably already knows about it and wants to get it though.

[adamanteus]

yea, because it is as old as the bible
many new studies were made since this book was written

What new studies? Where are they written? What new information has been published? I'm sure many of us would be interested in any new publications.

[Stefan-A]

The main thing I've noticed, is how many subspecies they recognize in that book compared to other sources, but I'm certain that newer studies have been conducted as well. Couldn't name any,though.