Quote:
Originally Posted by stonyloam
Thanks Roy: That was the best explanation that I have seen. Of course I am still confused. So according to the description:
This could be a maritime garter
This is probably an eastern
who Knows (after it shed it had an overall green color)
Or they could all be just local color variations of easterns, which may be what maritimes are after all. They are all from my yard in westrn NY. 
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If pallidulus is considered a valid subspecies, I'd say that all three are pallidulus. #1 and #3 definitely show it and even #2. Even though it does have a back stripe, it's broken in several areas by the side spots making those "cross bars" that I was talking about. In all the field pics I have of sirtalis, even though the dorsal stripe may be intruded on by the side spotting, it's never broken....or interrupted by the spots. This is what gives sirtalis it's "distinct" side stripe (even though there are individuals with out it...... confusing isn't it!!??!!??
). Only 100% definite thing I can say is that they are Thamnophis sirtalis ssp. .....but you already knew that.
Roy