In 1966, the San Francisco Garter Snake was one of the first species to be listed when the federal government enacted the Endangered Species Act. In 1971, the state of California recognized it as endangered. Over the past three decades, however, their population has continued to decline and their limited habitat has been developed by the San Francisco International Airpot and the Bay Area Rapid Transit Station. And since 1978, little or no progress has been made to secure a habitat for the San Francisco Garter Snake. Perhaps this is a leading cause why it is the most endangered reptile in North America.

One of eleven subspecies of garter snake, the San Francisco Garter snake is also considered to be one of the most beautiful. Along with the California Red-legged frog, their habitat was nearly entirely destroyed in 1966 when the Skyline Ponds along the San Andreas Fault were drained to make way for people. The San Francisco Garter snake feeds on the endangered Red-legged frog, as well as Pacific Tree frogs and bullfrogs (larger bullfrogs in turn feed on smaller snakes). Dense vegetation along the waterway with nearby meadows and fields for hibernation provided their habitat. Very few isolated ones remain.

The San Francisco watershed in San Mateo county has the largest wild population, although no count of their numbers has been made. Other areas, all confined to the San Francisco penninsula, include the Pescadero Marsh, Ano Nuevo State reserve, Laguna Salada (Mori Point) and the San Francisco State Fish and Game Reserve, all have small populations.

Continued urbanization, illegal collecting, freeway construction and pollution are all contributing factors to the threat of extiction for the San Francisco Garter snake.

Description - the San Francisco Garter snake has a wide dorsal stripe of greenish yellow, edged in black, bordered by a red stripe, then black again. It's belly is bright turquoise. Because of it's red stripe, the Red-sided Garter snake is often mistaken for it. Adult size ranges up to 3 feet and it is a slender snake.

Habitat - They stay near water, ponds, streams, marshes or even ditches. When frightened, it will swim away. If captured, it will thrash about, bite, and expel the contents of its scent glands on its captor.

Breeding - They mate in the spring or autumn, and the females give birth to live young in July through August, numbering up to two dozen.

There is very little information known about the San Fransico Garter snake, and since it is illegal to own or possess, it is unclear how the population will be maintaned. There are some known to be in private collections in Europe, but the future of the San Francisco Garter snakes is still very unclear.

Bibliography

Last Stand by Pat Carr

The San Francisco Garter Snake by Heather Mack and Erin Moseley

California's Wild Heritage; Threatened and Endangered Animals in the Golden State by Peter Steinhart, 1990 CA Dept. of Fish & Wildlife

For more information about the San Francisco garter snakes and other, please visit The Snake Server

California State Recovery Plan