Eastern Blackneck Garters now protected?

[sschind]

I suppose it might be collected a lot. I just don't see that many garters in general being offered here in the states as they don't seem to be all that popular (as opposed to say a corn snake) I see quite a few wholesale lists and garters are not listed on many of them. Maybe its the "native" thing that turns people off. It seems that the rest of the world and Europe more specifically is way ahead of the US in breeding or even keeping garters. I know that there are a few people out there who are very serious about it and a lot of the people on this forum are more than simple beginners. Still, the garters have a long way to go before I would consider them a popular pet species here in the US.

You are very correct in your assessment of habitat conservation as well as protection of the species in general. From what I understand, with many species (the San Francisco garter for example) there is no reason why this should be an endangered species from the standpoint of numbers or the potential for extinction. The problem is that there is no place for them to live in their native range any more. It doesn't sound like it would be a problem to restock a large area with plenty of snakes but there simply isn't enough suitable habitat for it to happen.

[sschind]

Still, the garters have a long way to go before I would consider them a popular pet species here in the US.

I should amend that comment to being a popular pet species available in pet shops here in the US. Garter snakes are perhaps one of the most widely kept snakes simply because they are so plentiful and relatively easy to find in the wild. I'm sure many many people got their first start in the hobby by keeping WC garters. Its just that as they are introduced to more exotic species most people tend to forget about the local common stuff (not me, my favorite species of frog is still the Gray tree frog that I grew up surrounded by) Perhaps that is why you don't see them offered as much in the retail trade. I am sure that some stores carry a few but my guess is nothing compared to other colubrids.

Tying this in with the E. Blackneck discussion, I seriously doubt that a few people picking up a garter snake here or there to keep as a pet would have much of an impact on wild populations. Wholesale collection is the aspect of the pet trade that has to be watched closely, and being that garters are not so much in demand the problems of that may be more limited. Obviously those species and subspecies with a more limited range would be more at risk. Add to that the beautiful coloration and relative docile temperament of the E. Blacknecks I could see where it could potentially be a problem. Habitat destruction IMO is still the number one threat to wild populations. If it gets bad enough, sure, then plucking one or two prime breeding females to keep as pets could cause lasting damage to the population but if it gets to that point the species is probably doomed in the wild anyway.