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Project Noah Nature School
Thamnophis sirtalis
Melanistic morph of an Eastern garter snake. The snake was sunning itself on a log off the boardwalk near Magee Marsh Wildlife Area, in NW Ohio.
It was sitting on the same stump as another Eastern Garter Snake
This is an interesting snake for sure! I have another person who thinks this is a garter snake, but let's get a few more opinions. Can never hurt to see what several people think when it's an unusual snake like this :)
And now that you suggested a Garter snake Ashley, I remember that it was sitting on the same stump as an Eastern Garter.
I agree this is not a rat snake. A rat snake doesn't have that keeled of scales, like Lisa mentions. Rat snakes also have slightly shiny scales, which this snake does not. A rat snakes belly is checkboard black and white, your snake has a solid black belly. I'm leaning more towards a melanistic garter snake based on shape over a melanistic water snake, but will show these photos to other people and try to get a few more opinions.
Spotted on May 8, 2015
Submitted on May 26, 2015
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