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[jtvl5]

Hi I am a Biology student at Carroll College in Helena, MT and am working on a thesis project involving melanistic garter snakes. There is a local population here and I am trying to determine the species. I would like to know where everyone else has found melanistic individuals and their species. I sure appreciate the help. Here is a snake we found that is pretty cool.

Thanks,

J.T.

http://i237.photobucket.com/albums/f...v/IMG_0867.jpg
http://i237.photobucket.com/albums/f...v/IMG_0862.jpg

[adamanteus]

Hi James, and welcome to the forum.
The only naturally occurring melanistic Garter Snake I've heard of is Thamnophis sirtalis sirtlalis.
Good luck with your thesis.

[Snaky]

Have a look at this article:
http://www.thamnophis.com/caresheets...title=Genetics
I don't know about more melanistic garters than in the article.

Welcome to the forum and enjoy it here

[Odie]

Hi, from Oregon, James

[Lulu Bennett]

Hi James, welcome to the forum and i hope you find what you are looking for
Lulu xxx

[enigma200316]

Hi, and welcome to the forum.......................

[enigma200316]

by looking at the markings at the back of the snake I'd say it probably is
a T. s. sirtalis (Eastern) any one else care to venture a thought.......

[Stefan-A]

Welcome aboard, James.

[ssssnakeluvr]

It's probably a wandering garter, thamnophis elegans vagrans. Scott Felzer acquired one a few years ago, totally black, no white on the chin like melanistic sirtalis sirtalis.

Adamanteus: Scott Felzer got a melanistic wandering, all black from Montana a few years ago, we have hypermelanistic wanderings in Utah. I have also read about melanistic maritime garters on St George Island.....

[salzar]

welcome to the site , cool snake , never seen one like that !!!

bye
michelle