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stuart
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Joined: 26 May 2005
No. of posts: 12


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Posted: 29 Dec 2008
any clues as to what this is? found on Cannock Chase spring 2007 stuart39811.7233217593
herpetologic2
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Joined: 15 Jun 2004
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Posted: 30 Dec 2008

Where is the snake now?

Was it rehomed? my first thought was a garter snake of some sort??

 

J


Vice Chair of ARG UK - self employed consultant -
visit ARG UK & Alresford Wildlife
wolves121
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Joined: 17 Apr 2007
No. of posts: 27


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Posted: 31 Dec 2008
i would say one of the American water snakes
seen 328 british sp of birds an 6 sp of brtish reptiles
AGILIS
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Joined: 27 Feb 2007
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Posted: 01 Jan 2009
as a guess I would say a garter snake but no expert only on what ive handled that have been a little more slender looking as this one looks a little chunky keith AGILIS39814.3447800926
   LOCAL ICYNICAL CELTIC ECO WARRIOR AND FAILED DRUID
Alex2
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Joined: 16 Dec 2006
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Posted: 02 Jan 2009

That to me looks like a rather elderly Thamnophis sirtalis, specifically the subspecies fitchi. The young and sub-adults of that subspecies are particularly well marked but they do fade with age, i suspect that snake could well of been living in the English countryside well in excess of 10 years, as i do not believe that fitchi have been imported into the UK since the '90's (although other garters/thamnophis still are).

 


herpetologic2
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Joined: 15 Jun 2004
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Posted: 03 Jan 2009

I hear the Indiana Jones Theme tune - remember the snake scene in Raiders......

 

J


Vice Chair of ARG UK - self employed consultant -
visit ARG UK & Alresford Wildlife
wolves121
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Joined: 17 Apr 2007
No. of posts: 27


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Posted: 03 Jan 2009
ive asked on another forum and they come up with Nerodia erythrogaster flavigaster yellow bellied (or plain bellied) water snake
seen 328 british sp of birds an 6 sp of brtish reptiles
Alex2
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Joined: 16 Dec 2006
No. of posts: 266


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Posted: 03 Jan 2009

[QUOTE=wolves121]ive asked on another forum and they come up with Nerodia erythrogaster flavigaster yellow bellied (or plain bellied) water snake[/QUOTE]

If you look closer at that snake you'll see some faded red markings on it, and the way this specimen is marked is not in keeping with Nerodia ertyhrogaster. Also, check the lack of dark markings on the upper labials, the Nerodia has these very clearly. Trust me, if you've ever seen an old garter they really aren't a patch on juveniles or younger specimens.  

Alex239816.8018981482
stuart
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Joined: 26 May 2005
No. of posts: 12


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Posted: 05 Jan 2009

Hi, thanks to everyone who has taken the time to post replies.

When I first recovered the snake, I thought it might be a garter of some description,however it appeared too stocky compared to all the examples I had seen,and it appeared too dull. However Alex2 s suggestion would appear to be the most likely-it did have faded red scales on its side and it did have a bright red and black tongue.

It was found in late March amongst an adder colony just out of hibernation.

Thanks again


herpetologic2
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Joined: 15 Jun 2004
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Posted: 06 Jan 2009

Hi Stuart

Do report further on this find as it seems to be an important observation if it was within a group of adders.

Jon


Vice Chair of ARG UK - self employed consultant -
visit ARG UK & Alresford Wildlife
stephengraham
Member
Joined: 10 Jul 2009
No. of posts: 3


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Posted: 10 Jul 2009
Hi wolves121...
I also agree with you because i have seen same snake in discovery channel but confident about it...

zinc
-LAF
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Joined: 03 Apr 2003
No. of posts: 317


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Posted: 10 Jul 2009
Okay, this has got me scratching my head. Don't suppose you
have a bigger image do you?

The faint dorsal line and slight red marking on the sides
suggest Thamnophis. However, there *appears* to be a
row of sub-occulars seperating the eye and the upper
labials, which could indicate some Nerodia (although
not N. erythrogaster!) instead.

My best guess is with Thamnophis, but far from 100%
More convinced it's not Nerodia, though.
Lee Fairclough

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