San Francisco Garter Snake

San Francisco Garter Snake
Status
Endangered Species Endangered Species: species that have a very small population and are at risk of extinction in the wild.
Listed March 11, 1967
Family
Colubridae
Description Red, black and light blue stripes
Habitat Wetlands, near standing water
Food Frogs, newts, toads and fish
Reproduction Ovoviviparous (young born alive)
Threats
Loss of wetlands, habitat fragmentation, collectors
Range California
Status
Endangered Species: species that have a very small population and are at risk of extinction in the wild.
Listed March 11, 1967
Family
Colubridae
Description Red, black and light blue stripes
Habitat Wetlands, near standing water
Food Frogs, newts, toads and fish
Reproduction Ovoviviparous (young born alive)
Threats
Loss of wetlands, habitat fragmentation, collectors
Range California

The San Francisco garter snake (Thamnophis sirtalis tetrataenia) is a subspecies of the common garter snake.  Like almost all snakes, the Bay Area native is completely harmless to humans. 

The snake is small, typically reaching lengths of 18-30 inches.  The head of the San Francisco garter snake is red to orange and the body has a four-stripe pattern, consisting of a light blue stripe on top, followed by black, then red and another black stripe, with a bluish lower body underside..   Their diet consists mostly of small invertebrates and fish.  The snake is active from April to October and hibernates in the winter.

The snake is an important species for the food web of the San Francisco Bay Area, helping to control populations of small rodents and other pests.   They are a protected species in California, and it is illegal to harm or harass them.  Current populations are being protected through monitoring, reducing habitat degradation, and managing ground water by installing flood control structures, creating ponds, and channeling streams.