Introduction and Thamnophis Field Herping: San Francisco Bay Area

[Zach_Lim]

Hello fellow Thamnophis fans,

My name is Zach Lim and I just wanted to introduce myself to the forum. I live in San Francisco, CA. Although I maintain a small collection of colubrids (mostly locality specific mountain kingsnakes and a few Thamnophis), my true passion is field herping. As of late, my main targets have been the various Thamnophis found within Northern CA. Here are a few of the snakes I was able to locate and photograph.

Thamnophis atratus atratus (San Mateo county)


T.atratus atratus, Young of Last Year (San Mateo County)- now in my collection


T.atratus INTERGRADE (Marin county)




T.elegans terrestris (San Francisco)


T.elegans terrestris "Flame Phase" (San Mateo county)



T.sirtalis infernalis "Blue Phase" (Marin county)



Although I have been herping for some time now, I never really focused on garters. Now, as I have slowly been checking off my life list of Bay Area herps, the hunt for garters is on. Time to get stinky.


Edit: Hmm...guess I can't post more then 6 pics on this forum....
-Zach

[infernalis]

Very nice photos, Imagine that flame phase after she sheds!

ever see any San Frans?

I keep 4 Infernalis as captives here at home, my favourite garters of all.

[snake man]

Nice photos I love the flame.

[guidofatherof5]

Very nice. Love the atratus.

[Light of Dae]

Welcome, You can post as many pictures as you like, but only 5 per post.

[indigoman]

Thanks for the pics, I've just aquired some T.infernalis blue phase and it was nice to see s pic of a wild one. Oh welcome to the forum!

[Zach_Lim]

Thank you all for the kind replies.

Flame phase Coasties are actually extremely common at a few localities in San Mateo county. Same with the high red Coasties. I love how variable they are.

I have yet to see any San Francisco Garters, but have been frequenting ponds that they are known to be. One day I will see that flash of blue and red!

[Zach_Lim]

For got to add:
Blue phase infernalis are probably one of my favorite Bay Area Thamnophis. In the wild, they are strikingly blue, almost the the extent of tetrataenia (I mean, they are technically the same species, and arguably, the same subspecies based on DNA genetics). The photographed was a large male (about 28 inches snout to tail tip) and was deep in shed. The specimens from that locality are BLUE when in their prime.

Atratus atratus are probably my favorite local species of Thamnophis. Occasionally I will see MASSIVE, almost gopher snake sized, Santa Cruz garters. Despite their common name of "Aquatic", I rarely find them near water. The burly looking one (head shot, first pic) was actually found at a site where I find California Mountain Kingsnakes (Lampropeltis zonata multifasciata)...far from any permanent water!

I'm gonna have to say my favorite North American Thamnophis right now has got to be the Oregon Red-Spotted. Gorgeous snake that I hope to work with some day. Would love a locality specific specimen...

[infernalis]

the six picture limit is per post, you can follow with another post with six more.

http://www.thamnophis.com/forum/gart...ng-thread.html

[Invisible Snake]

Great pictures and welcome to the forum!

May I ask what garter snakes you currently have in your collection?