Thamnophis sp Identification Help

[SludgeMunkey]

So, the locals all swear this snake is just a variation of Thamnophis radix.

I do not agree. This is the most common garter snake in these parts, but I am certain it is not T. radix. Thamnophis radix is pretty common here to, but only in the river bottoms...it is East- Central Nebraska's answer to a water snake.

This animal is never seen in the river bottoms, in fact, I have only observed it in suburban areas far from water.


Any ideas?



And for comparison, here is a positively identified T. radix:

[Kurt]

I see no pictures.

[SludgeMunkey]

That is odd, I see them. Anyone else not seeing the pictures?

[John]

I see them.

[Kurt]

I wish I could see them. All I see are these tiny little squares. I used to keep Thamnophis radix, so I was hoping I could help.

[Tom Highum]

I only see the tiny boxes too.

[SludgeMunkey]

Both pictures are in my caudata.org album Kurt, you may be able to see them there.


This one is really blowing my mind, as I see the brown and orange ones all the time. The "normal" Plains garters are much less often seen, and as stated before, only near water.

Upon further research, I suspect the locals may be right, but the differences seem too drastic to me for animals found within 2 miles of each other.

The brown one(s) lives in my yard, have been trying to capture and photograph it all season. I found it hiding under a board in my garage while cleaning. As stated befoe I see these ones all over the place in yards and parks around suburbia.

The nominate form was found a few months back sunning itself on the bike path near my home, down along the river. I have probably seen about fifty of this form this summer, but only near the Missouri and Platte rivers, which agrees with most field guides that discuss the species.

[Kurt]

Its definitely a Thamnophis radx. I have no doubt

[into]

tiny boxes here as well.

[Kurt]

For some reason the pictures are now working. Maybe going to Caudata then here somehow did the trick?

[into]

For some reason the pictures are now working. Maybe going to Caudata then here somehow did the trick?

Do you have to be a member of caudata.org to view photo albums? that may be the issue if you weren't logged in. I'm not a member, so maybe that's the problem.

[Kurt]

I really don't know the answer to that. I know John does.