The SF garter snake is a prime example of how the reluctance of the federal government to allow hobbyists to revive a species may ultimately result in extinction.
The historical range of the snake is forever gone - over developed, paved over and landscaped. What's left is small, criss-crossed by roads and inundated by both native and non-native predators that are being crammed in to smaller and smaller areas.
We all know how easy it is to breed garters in captivity.............
The issue here is not that the hobby has resulted in the endangerment of the species, so why not let hobbyists resurrect the breed in captivity?
Keep the fines on collecting wild tetrataenia, but also allow breeders under permit to begin breeding the snake in captivity. The initial animals can come from the DFG. Any animals sold under captive breeding can be handled much the way they handle transactions with indigos.
Reply With Quote