New to this forum, but not new to snake-keeping

[ChuWuti]

My name is Sandy, and I've been keeping snakes for a long time, close to 40 years. My interests have varied over time, ranging from wild-caught in Washington and Oklahoma to exotics. The past several years I've been a rescue coordinator for the Oklahoma City Herpetological & Invertebrate Society (OCHIS), so I have had quite a variety of snakes, lizards, and frogs pass through my home.

Snakewise, I am currently down to four ball pythons (2 rescues), one albino bull snake (a rescue, one of my favorites!), and one Honduran Milk Snake of my own, plus one rescue that will be rehomed when it is in better shape (fortunately, it is only underweight, not worse). This is the smallest number of snakes I've had in many years! The reason for downsizing my population is because my husband has accepted a sabbatical position in Göttingen, Germany, that begins in January 2015 and will last almost a year.

For many years, I have been interested in the San Francisco Garter Snake (Thamnophis sirtalis tetrataenia), but I had no hope of ever seeing a live one (except in a zoo) much less . . . dare I say . . . owning one? I am hoping that while in Germany, I might be able to acquire a pair, and I am hoping to be able to bring them back to the States. The president of our local society, Russ Gurley, thinks it may be possible, though difficult.

For now, I'm hoping that there are people here who can help me figure out how to do this, if it is possible.

Thanks for letting join your community!

Sandy
aka Chu'Wuti--the Snake Woman

[Stefan-A]

Welcome aboard.

[indigoman]

Welcome to the forum

[Mommy2many]

Welcome to the forum!

[guidofatherof5]

Nice to have you with us. I'm not trying to be a naysayer but I wouldn't hold out much hope getting a T. s. tetrataenia into the States. I don't think there is a loophole for the average person to use. Importation by a zoo or Gov. agency would be difficult enough. Of course, there is no harm in trying and I wish you luck.
Here's a link to the forum care sheet.
Garter Snake Forum - Garter Caresheet