San Francisco garter snake (Thamnophis sirtalis tetrataenia)

Short answers

San Francisco garter snake: How big does the enclosure need to be?

From 125×75×50 cm (minimum size according to the 1997 expert report, garter snakes, with a large bathing area and a wet box).

San Francisco garter snake: What temperature does it need?

Daytime 22–28 °C, basking spot 30–35 °C (local hot spot), at night 18–20 °C.

San Francisco garter snake: Does it need UVB lighting?

UVB: UVB not essential but recommended (diurnal, likes to bask).

San Francisco garter snake: How long do they live?

Life expectancy: ~6–10 years (up to 12–15 in captivity).

San Francisco garter snake: Is it suitable for beginners?

Rather not – it is considered an intermediate species (difficulty: Intermediate).

Climate

Daytime temperature

22–28 °C

Night temperature

18–20 °C

Basking spot

30–35 °C (local hot spot)

Humidity

50–65 %

UVB

UVB not essential but recommended (diurnal, likes to bask)

Enclosure

Minimum size

from 125×75×50 cm (minimum size according to the 1997 expert report, garter snakes, with a large bathing area and a wet box)

Substrate

Absorbent soil, coco humus or aspen; a large bathing spot; a humid box

Feeding

Food

Fish (smelt), earthworms, occasionally pinkie mice; add vitamin B1 if feeding fish only

Feeding interval

adults 1–2×/week, juveniles every 2–3 days

Key facts

Adult size

60–90 cm (up to ~1 m)

Life expectancy

~6–10 years (up to 12–15 in captivity)

Origin

Endemic to San Mateo County (California, USA); severely threatened

Protection status

US Endangered Species Act (strictly protected in the USA, with import and wild collection prohibited); NOT listed under CITES; in the EU only legal captive-bred animals – proof of origin is strongly recommended

Brumation

A winter rest or cooling of 6–8 weeks at ~5–10 °C (a temperate species; for breeding)

Cohabitation

Group housing is possible as with other garter snakes – feed separately, house only similarly sized animals together, a surplus of females is favourable.

Notes

One of the most colourful colubrids, endangered in the USA and protected under federal law. In the hobby only rare, expensive European captive-bred animals → proof of origin matters. Care as for other garter snakes; vitamin B1 with a fish diet. The husbandry figures are derived from the T. sirtalis complex.

Do you keep this species?

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Related species

• Ahumada's alpine garter snake (Thamnophis ahumadai) – Expert
• Bogert's garter snake (Thamnophis bogerti) – Expert
• Butler's garter snake (Thamnophis butleri) – Intermediate
• Cope's mountain meadow snake (Thamnophis copei) – Expert
• Fox's mountain meadow snake (Thamnophis foxi) – Expert
• Yellow-throated garter snake (Thamnophis pulchrilatus) – Expert
• Common garter snake (Thamnophis sirtalis) – Beginner
• Godman's garter snake (Thamnophis godmani) – Expert

All species in the care wiki →

What you need to start

To keep San Francisco garter snake (Thamnophis sirtalis tetrataenia) you typically need: a suitable enclosure (from 125×75×50 cm (minimum size according to the 1997 expert report, garter snakes, with a large bathing area and a wet box)), substrate (Absorbent soil, coco humus or aspen; a large bathing spot; a humid box), a heat source with a thermostat, UVB lighting, thermometer and hygrometer, a water dish and hides. You will find equipment in the Reptoria marketplace.