Found today in Buffalo NY Backyard

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Posted by oldherper on May 01, 2003 at 20:26:56:

In Reply to: Found today in Buffalo NY Backyard posted by Lyn on May 01, 2003 at 19:42:23:

Northern Brown Snake (Storeria dekayi dekayi).

Excellent photo presentation, by the way. It made identification a 2 second job.

:I have an Eastern Milksnake that was caught last year in a neighboring suburb, but in the 5 years I've lived in my current home just outside of Buffalo, I've never seen a snake in my own yard (and I do a lot of gardening and yardwork). My next door neighbor found this little snake, which I'm assuming is a type of Garter Snake, in his yard while cleaning up some of last years leftover leaves. He brought him right over in case he was one of mine that escaped (I am not missing any snakes) and also because he knew I'd like to see him even if he wasn't one of mine. I took lots of pics, to see them all go to my website and click on "Wild Snake". Here are a few of them. I don't have a snake guide and was curious if he was a Garter Snake, and if there are diff types of Garter Snakes in my area. Would love any info anyone can provide on this little charmer. I'm going to let him go in my backyard since I haven't cleaned up all my sticks and leaves yet and have a much more "wild" area for him to roam around in. My neighbors have 3 kids and they've cleaned up the leaf pile he'd been hiding in. Hope it's ok to release him in a diff yard? Here are some pics...
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:Here is the top of his head
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:He has a solid pinkish/brown belly
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:He is brown with a lighter brown stripe down his back and some black speckles
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:Another view of his markings
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:Side view of his face
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:I still have him in the house if you need diff angle pics or have questions that the pics don't answer, but I'd like to release him soon. He's been inside about an hour already and I'm sure he's anxious to get back outside. Thanks in advance!

Follow Ups:

Thanks (and another question) Lyn 05/01/03 (6)
- Thanks (and another question) oldherper 05/01/03 (5)
  - Thanks again, released him this morning... Lyn 05/02/03 (4)
    - Thanks again, released him this morning... snakeguy88 05/02/03 (3)
      - Take a look at these brown snakes... Erik - NM 05/02/03 (1)
        
        Now THAT is a helluva brown! thanks for the link! np snakeguy88 05/02/03 (0)
      - I've seen a few in the 16" to 18" range... oldherper 05/02/03 (0)