What kind of garter snake is this?

[mikjulcarman]

I rescued this little fella from my cat today. He looks like a Garter snake, but we only have types with dorsal stripes here. His base color is olive/grey and his spots are brown, but a slightly red brown. His tail is solid colored as is his head. Cream colored tummy. Looks somewhat like a Pacific Coast Aquatic Garter, but I am in the Portland metro, too far north. I am also more than a mile from any creek, river or lake.

He is uninjured and will be back outside soon. The cat is in now. :0)

Julie

[infernalis]

Welcome to the forum, and do you have a photo of the snake?

[mikjulcarman]

Yes, I meant to post pictures but forgot.

[FWK]

It's a hatchling Western Yellowbelly Racer (Coluber constrictor mormon). The pattern will fade to a solid brown or olive color within a couple years. Nice find.

[mikjulcarman]

Wow, thanks! That was quick! I thought I had seen every species around me, but this is a new one for the books.

He has returned to the wild. He was a quick little fellow.

Julie