Life Cycle
Adult snakes sometimes estivate (enter a dormant state) in rodent burrows during Fall and Spring. Along the Pacific Ocean coast, snakes hibernate during the winter, but further inland, if the weather is suitable, this species is known to be active year-round. Recent studies have documented San Francisco garter snake movement over several hundred meters from wetlands to hibernate in upland small mammal burrows. In spite of being reported as a diurnal, captive and specimens housed in an exterior setting, as well as wild snakes were observed foraging nocturnally or crepuscularly on warm evenings.
The San Francisco garter snake mates in the spring or autumn, and the females give birth to live young in June through September, numbering up to two dozen, but averaging about 16 offspring. The young are approximately 12 to 18 centimeters in length and mature in two years time.
Read more about this topic: San Francisco Garter Snake
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