A slither down memory lane

Stopped in a local Petco today, and lo' after oggling at the beardies, there were Canadian garter snakes for sale.

I remember catching these snakes in New Mexico, and then again in Everett, Wa. when I was growing up. I did see a few when we first moved here to Kent, 20 years ago, but now, not at all. In looking at this article, I think if there are any around, they would be hibernating right now. But still, I wonder if all the urbanization has trashed the habitat of these gentle creatures that hold so many memories for me.

There is one species in the San Fran area that is endangered, I guess. I don't know about the NW Garter snake, however.