San Francisco Gartersnake (Thamnophis sirtalis tetrataenia)

Created: August 10th, 2010 - 10:59 PM
Last Modified: November 22nd, 2010 - 05:51 PM Entered by: Carlo Bongio
Record 52185

Country: United States		State: California	County: San Mateo County	Time: 2008-09-12 13:30:00
Qty: 1	Age: --	Sex: --	Method:	Habitat: -----
Body Temperature: -----		Air Temperature: 78.00F	Ground Temperature: -----	Humidity: -----
Sky Conditions: Clear		Moon Phase: -----	Elevation: -----	Barometric Pressure: -----

Vouchers

Comments

Posted by Carlo Bongio on Nov 22, 2010 at 06:17 PM

Brian Apology excepted,and I can see why you thought it was a Coastal Garter because of my crappy photos!Mr Hubbs I will go to photoshop next time...LOL

Posted by Brian Hubbs on Nov 22, 2010 at 01:15 PM

Carlo, next time use the macro focus on your camera, or put the pic into photoshop...LOL

Posted by Brian Hinds-AKA Fundad on Nov 22, 2010 at 08:24 AM

Well than, I apologize and its my bad. I am going to edit my entries here. I officially need glasses.

Posted by Brian Hubbs on Nov 21, 2010 at 12:51 AM

It can't be an intergrade at that site (I know where he saw it). It is an SF Garter, but a butt ugly one...LOL

Posted by Brian Hinds-AKA Fundad on Nov 19, 2010 at 07:29 PM

I think it's time for me to get glasses, as I just don't see the red your referring too. I did say "I think" which is not equal too "is". LOL At any rate, if it is 100% sirtalis, it should be noted that it is likely or possibly and Infernalis/Tetrataenia intergrade.

Posted by Natalie McNear on Nov 19, 2010 at 01:37 PM

This is definitely T. sirtalis, not T. elegans. Coast Garters never have the bright red heads (sort of obscured by the mud) nor the sky blue ventral coloration like the snake photoed here. The pattern also better fits T. sirtalis than T. elegans, the latter usually having a checkerboard pattern in the red stripe instead of single well-defined blotches.

As for which subspecies this would be - I'm not an expert so take my opinion with a grain of salt - it looks like a Infernalis/Tetrataenia intergrade. Such snakes are pretty widespread in San Mateo County where their ranges meet and are still protected as if they were full Tetrataenia (I think it cost BART $1 million when they ran over one during a construction project). That said, I've read that Tetrataenia can be pretty variable in appearance, with some having Infernalis-like blotches on the side. I dunno what else defines the subspecies besides coloration - DNA maybe?

Bottom line: This snake is definitely T. sirtalis, and could be a Infernalis/Tetrataenia intergrade or full Tetrataenia... I'll leave that to the experts to decide.

Posted by Brian Hinds-AKA Fundad on Nov 18, 2010 at 09:28 AM

I miss ID it. I apologize sincerely. Forgive me..