San francisco garters?

[ConcinusMan]

If you want to, you can go observe them in the Wild near waterways along Highway 280 in San Mateo, CA. I've had pretty good luck finding them there. Dang things are hard to photograph though, they spook very easily and bolt, and tend to be way out on shallow water. It's a State Fish and Game Refuge and believe me, they are watching and are very protective of the snakes. You don't want to get caught catching them, even if it's just to take photos.

There's some awesome CA red sideds (infernalis) and other garters in that area too.

No collecting of any of them is legal and penalties are very stiff. You'll do jail time if you get caught messing with the San Fransisco garters. They are a critically endangered species. Highly illegal to possess in the US. Most of the captive snakes in Europe are descended from legally acquired animals.

[ConcinusMan]

Like I said...

Most of the captive snakes in Europe are descended from legally acquired animals.

Just put it out of your mind. Forget about keeping SF garters in the U.S.A. U.S. keepers have the advantage of legally keeping many awesome species of garters, and the advantage of observing them in the wild, but SF garters are off limits unless you want to travel to San Mateo, CA and observe SF garters (but not collect) in the wild.

Seems harsh, but in spite of "Euros" being able to keep CB SF garters legally, we still have the advantage as far as keeping a wide variety of Thamnophis goes.