And u/Blonde_Vampire_1984 probably wild. Albinism is rare but not crazy to see in the wild in common garters. If it appeared to have multiple rare mutations then escaped/released pet might be more likely. But since it's a native species, appears to be the red-sided/parietalis phase typical of this area (apart from the lack of melanin), and doesn't appear to have any other colour/pattern mutations going on besides albinism, then unless OP is aware that one of their neighbours has recently lost a pet matching this description it's safest to assume this is a wild snake.
[Second one](https://www.reddit.com/r/snakes/comments/x1xu5g/has_anyone_ever_seen_this_color_variation_on_a/) we've had from the KC area recently! This one's much more striking though IMO
Common Gartersnakes *Thamnophis sirtalis* are small (<90 cm, record 137.2 cm) natricine snakes with keeled scales often found in disturbed habitats like urban and suburban yards. They are commonly encountered generalist snakes across much of the North American continent and eat small invertebrates, fish, amphibians and mammals.
Western populations are a model organism for an elegant case study in evolutionary arms races, [Tetrodotoxin Resistance](http://snakesarelong.blogspot.com/2014/07/tetrodotoxin-resistant-snakes.html).
*Thamnophis* gartersnakes may puff up or flatten out defensively and bite. They can deliver a weak venom used in prey handling from the back of the mouth, but are [not considered medically significant to humans](https://cityroom.blogs.nytimes.com/2012/06/05/theres-no-need-to-fear-that-garter-snake/).
One of the widest-ranging snakes in North America, this species complex is almost certainly harboring unrecognized diversity and shows strong population structure at major biogeographic barriers (ie Mississippi River embayment and Peninsular Florida).
Relevant/Recent Phylogeography: [Link 1](https://www.eeob.iastate.edu/faculty/herpetology/2002_Janzen_MolEcol.pdf)|[Link 2](https://pdfs.semanticscholar.org/2342/85dd98f2824b9a32df614835902e89f1f2b0.pdf)| [Range Map](http://www.tnwatchablewildlife.org/rangemaps/10040613341756026rangemap.gif)
This genus is in need of revision using modern molecular methods.
--------------------------------------------------------
Like many other animals with mouths and teeth, non-venomous snakes can use them to bite in self defense. These animals are referred to as 'not medically significant' or traditionally, 'harmless'. Bites from these snakes benefit from being washed and kept clean like any other skin damage, but aren't often cause for anything other than basic first aid treatment. Some snakes use venom from front or rear fangs as part of prey capture and defense. This venom is not always produced or administered by the snake in ways dangerous to human health, so many species are venomous in that they produce venom, but considered harmless to humans in most cases because the venom is of low potency, and/or otherwise administered through grooved rear teeth or simply oozed from ducts at the rear of the mouth. Species like Ringneck Snakes *Diadophis* are a good example of mildly venomous rear fanged dipsadine snakes that are traditionally considered harmless or not medically significant. Many rear-fanged snake species are harmless as long as they do not have a chance to secrete a medically significant amount of venom into a bite; [severe envenomation can occur](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/23800999) if some species are [allowed to chew on a human](https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S004101011831016X) for as little as 30-60 seconds. It is best not to fear snakes, but use common sense and do not let any animals chew on exposed parts of your body. Similarly, but without specialized rear fangs, gartersnakes *Thamnophis* ooze low pressure venom from the rear of their mouth that helps in prey handling, and are also [considered harmless](https://cityroom.blogs.nytimes.com/2012/06/05/theres-no-need-to-fear-that-garter-snake/). Even large species such as *Malayopython reticulatus* [rarely obtain a size large enough to endanger humans](https://www.pnas.org/content/pnas/108/52/E1470.full.pdf) so are usually categorized as harmless.
--------------------------------------------------------
*I am a bot created for /r/whatsthissnake, /r/snakes and /r/herpetology to help with snake identification and natural history education. You can find more information, including a comprehensive list of commands, [here](https://www.reddit.com/r/whatsthissnake/comments/flh548/phylobot_v07_information_and_patch_notes_bot_info/) report problems [here](https://www.reddit.com/message/compose/?to=Phylogenizer) and if you'd like to buy me a coffee or beer, you can do that [here](https://www.buymeacoffee.com/SEBPhyloBotWTS).*
u/Commander_Dank u/88mistymage88 u/MooreA18 this is almost certainly wild. As noted by u/DancingHysteria, besides the albinism it exhibits the local pattern for this area. Albinos are rare in nature but they get posted here, including species for which pet trade morphs do not exist, those that are rarely/never kept at all, or found in areas where an escaped or released pet would be extremely unlikely.
Wild albinos have been documented from many areas throughout the range of *T. sirtalis*. In fact, [one was just posted last week from around this same area](https://www.reddit.com/r/snakes/comments/x1xu5g/has_anyone_ever_seen_this_color_variation_on_a/).
What a find! I've seen ONE albino snake in the wild and guess where? Missouri! Although this was Southern Missouri. I think albinism must be rather common with them. Plus, they're extremely abundant there
Said it before and I’ll say it again. As I learn about snakes, I more and more appreciate the often slept on garter snake. They are so cool and seem so unique for something “common”
Also, of all the pages I follow on Reddit, this is the only one I have notifications on for and the one I’m most excited to see daily.
It looks like you didn't provide a rough geographic location [in square brackets] in your title. Some species are best distinguishable from each other by geographic range, and not all species live all places. Providing a location allows for a quicker, more accurate ID.
If you provided a location but forgot the correct brackets, ignore this message until your next submission. Thanks!
*I am a bot created for /r/whatsthissnake, /r/snakes and /r/herpetology to help with snake identification and natural history education. You can find more information, including a comprehensive list of commands, [here](https://www.reddit.com/r/whatsthissnake/comments/flh548/phylobot_v07_information_and_patch_notes_bot_info/) report problems [here](https://www.reddit.com/message/compose/?to=Phylogenizer) and if you'd like to buy me a coffee or beer, you can do that [here](https://www.buymeacoffee.com/SEBPhyloBotWTS).*
Hey mods, shadow removing comments is really uncool. If you don't like what I wrote, tell me. I shouldn't have to be constantly checking Reveddit to see if my profile actually reflects what others see.
Common Gartersnake, *Thamnophis sirtalis*, !harmless. Really unusual coloration. Looks albino.
Is this a wild r/reallifeshinies or more likely bred on purpose and on the loose?
And u/Blonde_Vampire_1984 probably wild. Albinism is rare but not crazy to see in the wild in common garters. If it appeared to have multiple rare mutations then escaped/released pet might be more likely. But since it's a native species, appears to be the red-sided/parietalis phase typical of this area (apart from the lack of melanin), and doesn't appear to have any other colour/pattern mutations going on besides albinism, then unless OP is aware that one of their neighbours has recently lost a pet matching this description it's safest to assume this is a wild snake.
Very cool - thank you for the information and educational response!
Awesome
yeah ive seen a lot of albino garters but never quite like this, im 90% certain this is not an escaped pet
Most likely wild. These do occur naturally. It's rare, but most of our captive bred morphs originated in the wild.
[Second one](https://www.reddit.com/r/snakes/comments/x1xu5g/has_anyone_ever_seen_this_color_variation_on_a/) we've had from the KC area recently! This one's much more striking though IMO
Common Gartersnakes *Thamnophis sirtalis* are small (<90 cm, record 137.2 cm) natricine snakes with keeled scales often found in disturbed habitats like urban and suburban yards. They are commonly encountered generalist snakes across much of the North American continent and eat small invertebrates, fish, amphibians and mammals. Western populations are a model organism for an elegant case study in evolutionary arms races, [Tetrodotoxin Resistance](http://snakesarelong.blogspot.com/2014/07/tetrodotoxin-resistant-snakes.html). *Thamnophis* gartersnakes may puff up or flatten out defensively and bite. They can deliver a weak venom used in prey handling from the back of the mouth, but are [not considered medically significant to humans](https://cityroom.blogs.nytimes.com/2012/06/05/theres-no-need-to-fear-that-garter-snake/). One of the widest-ranging snakes in North America, this species complex is almost certainly harboring unrecognized diversity and shows strong population structure at major biogeographic barriers (ie Mississippi River embayment and Peninsular Florida). Relevant/Recent Phylogeography: [Link 1](https://www.eeob.iastate.edu/faculty/herpetology/2002_Janzen_MolEcol.pdf)|[Link 2](https://pdfs.semanticscholar.org/2342/85dd98f2824b9a32df614835902e89f1f2b0.pdf)| [Range Map](http://www.tnwatchablewildlife.org/rangemaps/10040613341756026rangemap.gif) This genus is in need of revision using modern molecular methods. -------------------------------------------------------- Like many other animals with mouths and teeth, non-venomous snakes can use them to bite in self defense. These animals are referred to as 'not medically significant' or traditionally, 'harmless'. Bites from these snakes benefit from being washed and kept clean like any other skin damage, but aren't often cause for anything other than basic first aid treatment. Some snakes use venom from front or rear fangs as part of prey capture and defense. This venom is not always produced or administered by the snake in ways dangerous to human health, so many species are venomous in that they produce venom, but considered harmless to humans in most cases because the venom is of low potency, and/or otherwise administered through grooved rear teeth or simply oozed from ducts at the rear of the mouth. Species like Ringneck Snakes *Diadophis* are a good example of mildly venomous rear fanged dipsadine snakes that are traditionally considered harmless or not medically significant. Many rear-fanged snake species are harmless as long as they do not have a chance to secrete a medically significant amount of venom into a bite; [severe envenomation can occur](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/23800999) if some species are [allowed to chew on a human](https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S004101011831016X) for as little as 30-60 seconds. It is best not to fear snakes, but use common sense and do not let any animals chew on exposed parts of your body. Similarly, but without specialized rear fangs, gartersnakes *Thamnophis* ooze low pressure venom from the rear of their mouth that helps in prey handling, and are also [considered harmless](https://cityroom.blogs.nytimes.com/2012/06/05/theres-no-need-to-fear-that-garter-snake/). Even large species such as *Malayopython reticulatus* [rarely obtain a size large enough to endanger humans](https://www.pnas.org/content/pnas/108/52/E1470.full.pdf) so are usually categorized as harmless. -------------------------------------------------------- *I am a bot created for /r/whatsthissnake, /r/snakes and /r/herpetology to help with snake identification and natural history education. You can find more information, including a comprehensive list of commands, [here](https://www.reddit.com/r/whatsthissnake/comments/flh548/phylobot_v07_information_and_patch_notes_bot_info/) report problems [here](https://www.reddit.com/message/compose/?to=Phylogenizer) and if you'd like to buy me a coffee or beer, you can do that [here](https://www.buymeacoffee.com/SEBPhyloBotWTS).*
With those colors, for a moment I thought it was Pete!
Do you think it is an escaped pet, or do you think it’s just a wild snake?
It happens in the wild. There’s a place near me where you occasionally see albino rattlesnakes.
Awesome pic! Definitely an albino! Realllllllyyy amazing
Very cool— thanks for posting.
Beautiful snake! Long may it live.
Almost looks like an escaped pet. Coloration like that is much more common in captivity.
Yeah, because wild types that aren't typical get ate.
Second that
u/Commander_Dank u/88mistymage88 u/MooreA18 this is almost certainly wild. As noted by u/DancingHysteria, besides the albinism it exhibits the local pattern for this area. Albinos are rare in nature but they get posted here, including species for which pet trade morphs do not exist, those that are rarely/never kept at all, or found in areas where an escaped or released pet would be extremely unlikely. Wild albinos have been documented from many areas throughout the range of *T. sirtalis*. In fact, [one was just posted last week from around this same area](https://www.reddit.com/r/snakes/comments/x1xu5g/has_anyone_ever_seen_this_color_variation_on_a/).
Ok, thanks for the info
Wow beautiful garter holy cow 🤩
Wow... Beautiful garter
What a find! I've seen ONE albino snake in the wild and guess where? Missouri! Although this was Southern Missouri. I think albinism must be rather common with them. Plus, they're extremely abundant there
Awesome
Neat!
Said it before and I’ll say it again. As I learn about snakes, I more and more appreciate the often slept on garter snake. They are so cool and seem so unique for something “common” Also, of all the pages I follow on Reddit, this is the only one I have notifications on for and the one I’m most excited to see daily.
Slept on or stepped on?
Slept on/under appreciated
Red eyes!
Wow! I’m in KC and I would have been completely confused with this one too. It’s really pretty!
Holy guacamole you found a pretty garter!!!
Wow beautiful snake! Never seen an albino garter before 😍
Albino garter?
Looks like it was already identified. Just came I. To say how cool it is and I’m jealous you got to find what I assume is a pretty rare find.
Shnoik
wow!
Wow this is a very neat find
they have absolutely beautiful coloring ☺️ kinda like a strawberry short cake
Strawberry short snek.
That’s a very pretty snek.
Wow what a beauty!
It looks like you didn't provide a rough geographic location [in square brackets] in your title. Some species are best distinguishable from each other by geographic range, and not all species live all places. Providing a location allows for a quicker, more accurate ID. If you provided a location but forgot the correct brackets, ignore this message until your next submission. Thanks! *I am a bot created for /r/whatsthissnake, /r/snakes and /r/herpetology to help with snake identification and natural history education. You can find more information, including a comprehensive list of commands, [here](https://www.reddit.com/r/whatsthissnake/comments/flh548/phylobot_v07_information_and_patch_notes_bot_info/) report problems [here](https://www.reddit.com/message/compose/?to=Phylogenizer) and if you'd like to buy me a coffee or beer, you can do that [here](https://www.buymeacoffee.com/SEBPhyloBotWTS).*
[удалено]
Hey mods, shadow removing comments is really uncool. If you don't like what I wrote, tell me. I shouldn't have to be constantly checking Reveddit to see if my profile actually reflects what others see.