Pleasant Surprise

Classic · 08-10-04, 10:24 AM

A co-worker knew of my hobby and brought these in from around his house. I know little of the local snakes in the area but they are very pretty.
Enjoy.

Brian
HWH

CamHanna · 08-10-04, 11:34 AM

I love the little Northern red-bellied snakes (Storeria occipitomaculata occipitomaculata), I've never seen them so red top. The other is an Eastern garter snake (Thamnophis sirtalis sirtalis)

If you want to know more about local snakes then the absolute best book in the history of the world (in my opinion) is 'Snakes of North America' (Alan Tennant). Bob Johnson also has a good all-round Ontario herp book. Something to the effect of 'Familier Reptiles and Amphibians of Ontario'.

Simon · 08-10-04, 11:59 AM

Love that little red belly!!

Awesome!!

Man you have an awesome co-worker!

Classic · 08-10-04, 12:17 PM

I should have mentioned that these pics were taken in New Brunswick.

Brian

CamHanna · 08-10-04, 12:35 PM

If it is in NB then it is not T. s. sirtalis. The native garter out there is the Maritime garter (T. s. pallidulus), they are descernable from the eastern by the not-so-prominant vertibral stripe.