Please help identify

[eireaislynn]

I'm a wildlife rehab volunteer but don't know much about snakes. I've seen a good number of snakes around my house, but I've never seen anything like this guy in Michigan before. I know our only venomous snake is the Missassauga Rattlesnake, and this guy seems harmless. I'm just really curious to know what this beautiful guy is. I've seen Butler's and Common Garter Snakes, Northern Water Snakes, and Missassauga Rattlesnakes around/in my house before. I have been unable to find a good photo that resembles this, though. And my wildlife books are all packed away, unfortunately. Any ideas? Could it be a garter in an orange/brown morph??

http://www.ssnakess.com/forums/<a href=

[infernalis]

I tried to fix your picture, but there is none there...


sSnakeSs.com - Rules (http://www.ssnakess.com/index.php?page=rules)

http://www.thamfriends.com/mat.jpg

[ssshane]

I am not sure which state you are in, that may help with the orange ish ID. If it helps, you can email the photo and I will post it.

Shane@SSuperiorSSerpents.com


Oooops, michigan

[ssshane]

Here is the photo:

http://i63.photobucket.com/albums/h127/SSuperiorSSerpents/Snakes%20of%20NC/orange.jpg

[MDT]

looks like a brown snake (sp Storeria). It is harmless.

[infernalis]

That is a female Storeria occipitomaculata.

[eireaislynn]

Thank you. I had a bunch of trash bags sitting in the driveway, and I had a sudden urge to dump this one out, and there she was inside. I'm glad I dumped it before I put it out. http://i1249.photobucket.com/albums/hh518/lmadison82/December2011021.jpg

Hopefully I figured out the right string of code to put in for the picture. This is a better photo. What a pretty snake, though.

[Pareeeee]

Looks like a Redbelly Snake to me too. Used to catch 'em here ALL the time, now I never see them. Haven't seen one in many years.

[alessia55]

Cute little thing... Glad you found her before dumping out the trash :)

[Strutter769]

You guys fascinate me with how you ID virtually everything throw at you!

Really impressive.

[Snakefood]

I`m wondering how Wayne came up with gender from a pic, now that`s impressive!!

[eireaislynn]

I`m wondering how Wayne came up with gender from a pic, now that`s impressive!!

In most species females lack the "brilliant" coloration their male counterparts have. No wonder I couldn't find photos resembling her-any color based description was pulling up different sspecies. Once I typed in the scientific name all sorts of photos came up! I, of course, made my initial searches too difficult by over thinking. If more sites described color variations in species by sex, it would have been much easier.

She was so much fun to observe. She would slither away and hide herself, but then peek out to see if I had left yet. I'm so glad I had a feeling to dump that bag. There wasn't anything in there I was looking for. Hopefully she is off enjoying life in my yard.

[infernalis]

I`m wondering how Wayne came up with gender from a pic, now that`s impressive!!

I bred a pair once.... I have baby pics somewhere.

Natricine snakes (Garters, Storeria, Natrix, Water snakes) all have a very specific look when gravid.

The fat middle and sudden tail taper are giveaways.

[Snakefood]

I bred a pair once.... I have baby pics somewhere.

Natricine snakes (Garters, Storeria, Natrix, Water snakes) all have a very specific look when gravid.

The fat middle and sudden tail taper are giveaways.

You are a WEALTH of info Wayne!! So that was a preggers female then!!

[Pareeeee]

I bred a pair once.... I have baby pics somewhere.

Well, where are they? You know we all want to se them. :)