San Francisco garter snake

[Invisible Snake]

7389

The San Francisco Garter Snake (Thamnophis sirtalis tetrataenia) is a slender multi-colored subspecies of the common garter snake. Designated as an endangered subspecies since the year 1967, it is endemic to San Mateo County and the extreme northern part of coastal Santa Cruz County in California. Some researchers estimate that there are only 1,000 to 2,000 adult snakes of the subspecies T. s. tetrataenia remaining. However, the full extent of the snakes' habitat has not been fully documented, and many snakes may utilize creeks and other waterways that are currently unexplored. This garter snake prefers wet and marshy areas, and because of its elusive nature, it is difficult to see or capture.

*I saw this shared on the garter snake FB page by View Profile: jaleely - Garter Snake Forum (http://www.thamnophis.com/forum/members/jaleely.html) and I wanted to share it with you guys*

[ConcinusMan]

What I can't figure out is why that photographer feels the need to oversaturate all his photos. It annoys me as much as blurry phone pictures do.

[RedSidedSPR]

What I can't figure out is why that photographer feels the need to oversaturate all his photos. It annoys me as much as blurry phone pictures do.

If not more.

[snake man]

Still an awsome snake.

[RedSidedSPR]

No doubt.

[ConcinusMan]

They're OK I guess. *gets ready to dodge flying tomatoes*

[RedSidedSPR]

Hit me too, I honestly prefer quite a few snakes over those guys. They're pretty cool, but I'd take a lot of garters over them, visually speaking. Infernalis, concinnus..

[SilasBannook]

Relative to the San Fran Garter Snake (SFGS), the last 5-year Review by the US Fish and Wildlife Service relative to its support under the Endangered Species Preservation Act was published in 2006. I know funds have been low but I am hoping they are able to actually conduct a good survey of the SFGS population and ecosystem as it exists today. They did call for a new survey in 2011 (https://www.federalregister.gov/articles/2011/05/25/2011-12861/endangered-and-threatened-wildlife-and-plants-5-year-reviews-of-species-in-california-nevada-and-the). Haven't seen the new report though.

[chris-uk]

I hope that they do a proper review and determine whether the wild population is at risk of extinction by a single unlucky event (or by continued pressure on their ecosystem). I think that the lack of coordinated captive breeding in US zoos means that should, for example, a super-storm hit San Francisco and decimate the current habitat... there is no option to re-introduce these snakes back into the wild.
I agree, they aren't the top snake on my list of beautiful garters, but they are stunning and deserving of protection.

[chris-uk]

The lottery jackpot here is £121m tomorrow night. If I win, how much would I need to donate to an election campaign to ensure that tetrataenia (and come to that gigas) are protected properly and a special licence is granted for a captive-breeding programme that would act as an ark if there was a natural disaster?

[thamneil]

Enough to get rid of the golf course! :p

[ConcinusMan]

Enough to get rid of the golf course! :p

Getting rid of it isn't enough. It would have to be restored to it's natural state. Better win the lottery again is all I gotta say.

[infernalis]

Hit me too, I honestly prefer quite a few snakes over those guys. They're pretty cool, but I'd take a lot of garters over them, visually speaking. Infernalis, concinnus..

Oh yeah, They are SO different (visually speaking)......http://www.varanus.us/smile/sarcasm.gif

[ConcinusMan]

I was thinkin' it :rolleyes:

[-MARWOLAETH-]

Personally I think that atratus,sumichrasti and cuitzeoensis look the best.

[Steveo]

I think the rarity and restrictions add to the appeal. Tell me I can't have something and I want it more.

[Lisa4john]

I think the rarity and restrictions add to the appeal. Tell me I can't have something and I want it more.

Yup, that's human nature, I know what you mean. ;)

[thamneil]

Oh come on you guys! You have to admit that tetrataenia really is gorgeous.

[Lisa4john]

Lol, yup it's a very purdy snake. :D

[ProXimuS]

Oh come on you guys! You have to admit that tetrataenia really is gorgeous.

Very! And I'd love to have one!

[thamneil]

I CAN have one! Just need to find someone selling them...

[guidofatherof5]

I CAN have one! Just need to find someone selling them...

Sure, rub it in.

[ConcinusMan]

Doesn't feel so great, does it Steve? ;)

[-MARWOLAETH-]

I'd love to get one but to just keep it as a pet because of how inbred they are. There are quite a lot of them in mainland Europe so shouldn't be too hard get hold of.

[chris-uk]

Sure, rub it in.

OK... I can have one, and do have one. Nana Nana na na!

[ConcinusMan]

I CAN have one! Just need to find someone selling them...

Good luck with that.

[thamneil]

Chris, you have a tetra? Time to update your signature! I'm trying to get some when I'm in Europe this March.

[guidofatherof5]

OK... I can have one, and do have one. Nana Nana na na!


Chris, you have a tetra? Time to update your signature! I'm trying to get some when I'm in Europe this March.

Take it to a PM conversation.:D I don't want to hear it.:D

[jaleely]

lol i thought of wayne when i posted it! he was the first one to ever teach me about even the existence of them.
I like to get the updates on the ones that are around here on the forum, every now and then ; )

[chris-uk]

Chris, you have a tetra? Time to update your signature! I'm trying to get some when I'm in Europe this March.
You may stand an outside chance of finding one of this year's available now, but in March you'll be too early for 2013s. Pop a pm to Thamnophis (Fons) he may be able to help you.

[-MARWOLAETH-]

Isn't having radix right outside you'r door enough for you!? The nights I dream about going herping for some garters in their natural environment and waking up realizing to do this I'd have to spend the best of a thousand pounds or actually move there is depressing.;)

[infernalis]

I think the rarity and restrictions add to the appeal. Tell me I can't have something and I want it more.

Why can't people appreciate wild animals in the wild?

[chris-uk]

Why can't people appreciate wild animals in the wild?

I'd love to appreciate some garters in the wild, the trans-Atlantic trip is a big obstacle though. Unfortunately the lottery jackpot wasn't won last night, so I'm still in with a chance of winning on Tuesday (around £145m, so more than enough to remove a golf course and reinstate a natural habitat, and setup a garter snake visitors centre - there's a 1 in 16,000,000 chance that you guys will find out if I'm joking about this).

[guidofatherof5]

Isn't having radix right outside you'r door enough for you!? The nights I dream about going herping for some garters in their natural environment and waking up realizing to do this I'd have to spend the best of a thousand pounds or actually move there is depressing.;)

You are right William. I was bad.:D

[-MARWOLAETH-]

If I take gap year between sixth form and Uni it'll be too go to America for a few weeks for a holyday and some herping.Maybe even pay a visit to the ranch:D

[guidofatherof5]

If I take gap year between sixth form and Uni it'll be too go to America for a few weeks for a holyday and some herping.Maybe even pay a visit to the ranch:D

Nobody pays to visit the Ranch.

[ConcinusMan]

Really? Does that mean you'll buy me an airline ticket to Omaha? I'll manage the rest of the trip on my own.:p

[guidofatherof5]

Nobody pays to visit the Ranch.


Really? Does that mean you'll buy me an airline ticket to Omaha? I'll manage the rest of the trip on my own.:p

Sorry. I meant admission is free.;):D

[ConcinusMan]

:(