When was the San Francisco garter snake officially listed as endangered by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS)?
Answer
March 11, 1967
The San Francisco garter snake holds historical significance in conservation efforts, having been recognized as imperiled long before modern tracking methods were common. Specifically, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) officially added this subspecies to its endangered list on March 11, 1967. This initial listing predated the formal signing of the federal Endangered Species Act (ESA) in 1973, under which the snake was subsequently grandfathered onto the federal list. The year 1985 marks a later significant milestone, which is when the FWS formally approved the Recovery Plan outlining conservation steps necessary for the subspecies' survival.

Related Questions
When was the San Francisco garter snake officially listed as endangered by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS)?How many known significant populations of SFGS currently remain across its fragmented habitat?What specific type of underground refugia do San Francisco garter snakes utilize for winter hibernation and summer dormancy?Which threatened amphibian, heavily dependent on shallow water for metamorphosis, forms a critical part of the SFGS diet?What minimum adult census target, maintained across 10 populations, does the 1985 Recovery Plan aim for before considering the SFGS recovered?According to demographic simulations, what is the recommended duration for releasing head-started juveniles into a single subpopulation to maximize viability?What dual threat is posed to the SFGS ecosystem by the presence of non-native American bullfrogs?What specific visual characteristics make the San Francisco garter snake prone to illegal poaching for the pet trade?What is the ideal shallow water depth, measured in centimeters, required near pond edges for SFGS foraging between May and July?Which two specific open space preserves are mentioned as actively supporting SFGS populations while also being managed as cattle ranches?