Considered the most beautiful of garter snakes, the San Francisco Garter Snake has been endangered since 1967, and can only be found in the extreme northern part of coastal California. A slender, multi-colored snake, with a greenish yellow strip down their back flanked on both sides with red and black stripes, it sports a red head and a belly that is blue-green. This shy and elusive creature faces habitat loss from urbanization and agricultural conversion, drainage of ponds and marsh sites, as well as changes in water quality, and introduction of new species into the ecosystem. Collection by reptile fanciers and breeders also threaten the protection of this snake.