Gartersnake Game - what am I?

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Owen
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Gartersnake Game - what am I?

Post by Owen »

Because of the Ken's thread on GS ID, I thought I would throw up a guess the ID thread.

All from the Bay Area, so it narrows the choices down. Those that have seen any of these before where I identified them, please don't play. 8-)

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Zach_Lim
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Re: Gartersnake Game - what am I?

Post by Zach_Lim »

Diablo, Santa Cruz, and um maybe a Diablo?
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Owen
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Re: Gartersnake Game - what am I?

Post by Owen »

Zach_Lim wrote:Diablo, Santa Cruz, and um maybe a Diablo?
Any one else with guesses? At least one of these is incorrect.
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Brian Hubbs
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Re: Gartersnake Game - what am I?

Post by Brian Hubbs »

Eastern, Narrow-head, and San Francisco.

Seriously though...Diablo, Santa Cruz and Coast.
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Owen
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Re: Gartersnake Game - what am I?

Post by Owen »

Brian Hubbs wrote:Eastern, Narrow-head, and San Francisco.

Seriously though...Diablo, Santa Cruz and Coast.
Any one else with guesses? At least one of these is incorrect.

I'll post the diagnostic shots tomorrow.
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Fieldnotes
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Re: Gartersnake Game - what am I?

Post by Fieldnotes »

:beer:
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Owen
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Re: Gartersnake Game - what am I?

Post by Owen »

Will, I did just have a beer :beer: ... Stone Mutt Brown Imperial Brown Ale.

OK here's the answers.

A. Thamnophis elegans terrestris. Diablo Range, Santa Clara Co.

Image

Internasals are rounded in the front and not longer than wide. Chin shield front and rear pairs of equal length. Eyes look like those of terrestrial form. While color is similar to Thamnophis atratus, closer examination reveals it to be elegans.

B. Thamnophis atratus zaxanthus. Diablo Range, Santa Clara Co.

Image

Intersasals are pointed at front and longer than wide; rear pair of chin shields is longer than front. Eyes are those of aquatic.

C. Thamnophis elegans terrestris. Diablo Range, Santa Clara Co.

Image

Snake was about to shed, so this one was tougher. Chin shields are closer to terrestris (one rear longer while other is equal length). The internasals were fairly pointed, but slightly wider than long. Eyes were obscured.

OK, I could do this with other gartersnakes if anyone is interested, or I could post how I miss late 70's/early 80's power pop.

Until then,

Go Warriors :D
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Brian Hubbs
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Re: Gartersnake Game - what am I?

Post by Brian Hubbs »

This was a trick question... 8-)
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Jeff
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Re: Gartersnake Game - what am I?

Post by Jeff »

This was a trick question.
I would refer you to a book, "Harmless Snakes of the West", which provides the necessary, um, diagnostic..., um, photograp....

...nevermind

what Owen said.

Jeff
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