Tips with San Fransico Garters

[drache]

yeah
the first time I saw an infernalis I began wondering . . .
the colours are totally the same
to be picky about stripes versus spots seems kind of Cruella de Vil

[Stefan-A]

Most of the ones I've seen look remarkably like tetrataenia, but I've also seen pictures of infernalis that look more like concinnus.

[drache]

I tend to think of them as tetras with a a concinnus pattern, or concinnus with tetra colours
since I have both infernalis and concinnus, I can say that at first glance it's really just the colouring that's different, as though they're just colour variations of the same sub-species, which in a loose sense is what they are

[count dewclaw]

Actually, that may be true for other states, but not California. California Dept. of Fish and Game limits 2 specimens of any one species of CA native Thamnophis for private collection (except of course for ssp. tetrataenia [endangered] and most garters in Southern California [severely threatened]). Breeding garters native to California is prohibited. Universities might get special permission for research purposes... The 2 specimen limit goes as far as including all subspecies within a particular species. So if you wanted an infernalis and a fitchi, that would put you at your limit for sirtalis.

Steve

Could someone from another state get a non-resident license and collect 2 specimens of infernalis and then ship them home? I ask because my sister lives near San Fran. Or could she get a couple (highly unlikely - I don't think she like snakes) and ship them to me? Just curious, probably wouldn't happen, but the thought keeps popping up in my brain.

[Steven@HumboldtHerps]

Could someone from another state get a non-resident license and collect 2 specimens of infernalis and then ship them home? I ask because my sister lives near San Fran. Or could she get a couple (highly unlikely - I don't think she like snakes) and ship them to me? Just curious, probably wouldn't happen, but the thought keeps popping up in my brain.

I do not believe there is such a license (I will look into it), as its existence would undermine native limits for CA residents. I have had many a great folk here ask if I could acquire local specimens for them for out of state export. Since I run a herp society that is founded upon conservation, I am morally and ethically bound to stick to the rules. It is apparent that many infernalis and tetrataenia have "found" their way beyond the California border. This is likely due to the fact that either 1) they were obtained prior to current fish and game restrictions, or 2) they were acquired illegally in the obvious manner mentioned... 3) might be some zoo transfers or adoptions???

Steve

[ssssnakeluvr]

last I read, you could collect 2 with a fishing license, has that changed????

[Garter_Gertie]

Since I run a herp society that is founded upon conservation, I am morally and ethically bound to stick to the rules.

So hard to be that way; to go against 'the flow.'

You are a good man, Ghunga Din. Bless you.

[Steven@HumboldtHerps]

last I read, you could collect 2 with a fishing license, has that changed????

It has not (exclude So. Cal.), but I am not sure about regulations regarding crossing state lines with native booty. I'm sure it's done regularly. Policing these laws is of course a whole other story. I really need to look into this...

Steven

[karlh]

i have a pair of these and they are by far the best snakes i've ever owned. the fact they are diurnal and so brightly colored makes them a great display!