genetics

[zooplan]

T.s.tetrataenia´s should not be bred to any other specy nor subspecy!
Yes, some breeders tried that in Europe, forced by the fact, that ´tetrataenia was told to be the same as ´infernalis for a while some years ago. Because the limited number of avaliable California red sided breeders were inbred too the only success of this experiments were some lost branches at the pedigree ! No serious breeder like to cross in hybrids, and all breeders, who tried it or purchased some of the offspring were marked!
If San Francisco Garter Snakes are not grown and bred clean, they´ll lose any opportunity to refresh the natural populations later.

I´m sure T.s.tetrataenia will be extinct soon in all known habitats, if the government isn´t able to modify their enviromental policy!

[Stefan-A]

I´m sure T.s.tetrataenia will be extinct soon in all known habitats, if the government isn´t able to modify their enviromental policy!

Short of relocating San Francisco, there's not much that can be done to keep them from going extinct in the near future.

[guidofatherof5]

I´m sure T.s.tetrataenia will be extinct soon in all known habitats, if the government isn´t able to modify their enviromental policy!

If our Government is their only hope, than they are probably doomed.

[ConcinusMan]

If San Francisco Garter Snakes are not grown and bred clean, they´ll lose any opportunity to refresh the natural populations later.

I´m sure T.s.tetrataenia will be extinct soon in all known habitats, if the government isn´t able to modify their enviromental policy!

CB San Fransisco garters will never be used to refresh natural populations anyway. The problem is, the remaining habitat can only support the snakes that are currently there. That is why there are no CB breeding projects to "save" the species. Adding more snakes will do more harm than good. The only way to increase their population would be to preserve current habitat and to restore historic habitat.

Of the populations that still exist, and are protected, their greatest threat is the water. The land is already off limits to development for many of the snakes, but they are already having problems with runoff from developed areas fouling up the water. One little screw up, one little disastrous spill and it could spell the end for them. Wouldn't break land developers hearts one bit I'm sure. In fact, I wouldn't put it past a few of them, to purposely sabotage the species.

Even for inbred struggling captive populations, introducing hybrids is the worst thing you can possibly do. If you do that to save them you are defeating the purpose since they will no longer be S.F. garters. They will be hybrids.