San Francisco Garter Snake in captivity?

[Skiploder]

I'd wager that these biologists are most likely involved with the habitat restoration project.

And if you understood what a section 10 recovery permit is, it is in no way a permission slip for a fellow enthusiast to keep these animals as pets.

They are, but they are also enthusiasts like the rest of us.

The point is that it is possible to keep them. The fact that the USFWS is allowing take and recovery permits may eventually lead to ownership in the hobby. Your statement that there is no permit in the states that allows you to keep them is not exactly correct.

I have a very firm understanding of what a Section 10 permit entails. We deal with biologists all the time who possess these for various "endangered" species - red legged frog, clapper rail, blah, blah, blah.

They are not that hard to find. I know a few places in San Mateo County where, during the right time of year, you can find them in fairly large numbers. We may find one day that private ownership, without the miles of paperwork and scientific permits, may be here before we know it.