been a while

[reptile3]

What's the jet black one?

Welcome back, awesome pictures.... I too would like to know what kind that jet black one is!!

[ssssnakeluvr]

melanistic eastern

[Stefan-A]

melanistic eastern

Melanistic vagrans. Rhea guessed it and he confirmed it a few posts ago.

[ssssnakeluvr]

really?? haven't seen a melanistic vagrans with white on the chin.....

[Stefan-A]

Count the supralabial scales. 7 on both sides and it's probably sirtalis, 8 on at least one side and it's probably vagrans.

[adamanteus]

I also thought/presumed it was a melanistic sirtalis when I saw the white scales around the throat and chin. I'd be interested to hear the result of the supralabial scale count.

[drache]

my guess (and that's really all it was) was based on the fact that every melanistic sirtalis I've ever seen photos of, had a lot more white at the throat, and this garter looks like there's just some speckles
but I've never seen any melanistic garters in the flesh, so guessing is all i can do

[adamanteus]

Very true, Rhea. The white specking is much reduced on this one. We'll see how the count comes out.

[Snake lover 3-25]

wow that melanistic has AWESOME EYES!!!!

[ssssnakeluvr]

if you bought it in Europe, it's probably sirtalis....don't think anyone over there has melanistic vagrans yet....
not the clearest pic for counting scales, looks like 7 upper labials.....