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San Fransico Garter Snake in Europe !?!?
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by SnakeCatcher01 on May 28, 2001
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I recently read a article in R&A Hobbyist about San Fransico Garter Snakes being a very popular in the pet trade in some of Europes countries. Is this good or bad. Could this be helping the population or could it be doing more harm than good by interbreeding? What are your thoughts on this? I also read that the government is haulting all breeding programs for the snake. Is this true? Or could it have changed it was a 1996 issue I read it in?
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RE: San Fransico Garter Snake in Europe !?!?
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by filthy on May 29, 2001
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Snake, you do indeed ask them good ones.
I don't know whether or not any legitimate breeding programs for the San Francisco Garter (Thamnophis sirtlis tetrataenia) are currently active in this country, but I'm sure there are some going in Europe. Herptoculturists there seem to get breeding projects going on everything they keep. The reason is that American species are very expensive and many are not all that easy to come by in the first place.
As these are strictly private endevors, there's no telling what the genetics are. In-breeding is very commonly done by people trying to get a 'different' color morph, as can be seen in the bewildering number of really strange Corn and King snakes found for sale. Same deal with Pythons, and even some venomous.
In the long run, of course, in-breeding weakens individuals within the species. Unfortunatly, genetics aren't really my bag, although I'm starting a project this fall, Trans Pecos Copperheads (Agkistrodon c. pictigaster), and will ultimatly have to learn something about it. Hoping someone can elaborate on it for us.
Which brings us to illegal collecting. Being a protected species does not garentee protection. The 'Frisco Garter is a prime example of a species that is ruthlessly hunted simply because it is so scarce. It commands high dollar among those who don't care where the snake came from as long as they can have it. Every once in a while, we hear about some collecter or other getting busted, but seldom, if ever, do they get much more than a fine. However, I do know of one who, through greed, lost his license to collect in AZ.
Unfortunatly and once again, habitat loss and more than a little illegal collecting is what has endangered this very pretty, little Garter.
luck,
f
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