Garter Snake id needed

[bugmankeith]

Came across this snake, but not sure what type of garter it is.

 

[pitbulllady]

In New York state, there is only one species of Garter, the Eastern, Thamnophis sirtalis sirtalis. Specimens can have a checkered pattern, or a striped pattern, or a combination of both, and can vary a good bit in coloration as well, with some being more greenish, other leaning towards gold or yellow or tan, others being more black and gray.

pitbulllady

 

[madamoisele]

It's a yellow rat snake.

 

[bugmankeith]

I'm confused, is it a rat snake or garter snake?

 

[pitbulllady]

I'm confused, is it a rat snake or garter snake?

I'm hoping that madamoisele was joking, BMK. Yellow Rat Snakes do not occur in New York, and they don't look like this snake in your photo at all beyond having stripes, and they do NOT have a light-colored dorsal stripe. The only member of the Rat Snake family that occurs in NY is the Black Rat Snake. I am 110% certain that the snake in the picture is an Eastern Garter. THIS is a typical Yellow Rat: http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3523/3740834048_2abc07b5c2.jpg and HERE is another Eastern Garter: http://www.ct.gov/dep/cwp/view.asp?a=2723&q=325830 . Now, still confused?

pitbulllady

 

[bugmankeith]

Yes that helps thanks.

 

[Camden]

It's a yellow rat snake.

uh..really?