Which area is specifically noted as generally being outside the concentrated search zone for this federally threatened subspecies?
Marin County
The distribution of the San Francisco garter snake is extremely narrow, leading to the conclusion that searching in regions outside its known, restricted range is highly inefficient. While the snake is concentrated in San Mateo, Santa Cruz, and Monterey counties, the text explicitly contrasts this limited zone with other areas where other garter snakes might be common. Marin County, which lies significantly north of the main peninsula region, is cited as an example of an area where one would be highly unlikely to find this federally threatened subspecies. Its requirements tie it tightly to the southern portion of the greater Bay Area peninsula and immediate coastal environs, making regions further afield, like Marin County, unsuitable.
