Endangered and Threatened Species: Status with Section 4(d) Rule for Southern Hognose Snake

The Center for Biological Diversity supports the proposed listing of the southern hognose snake as a threatened species and the implementation of a strong Section 4(d) rule. They argue that commercial activities, particularly captive breeding and trade, pose significant threats to the species and advocate for swift finalization of protections and critical habitat designation.

The North Carolina Chapter of the Wildlife Society supports the proposed listing of the southern hognose snake as a threatened species under the ESA 4(d) rule. They argue that federal listing is necessary to address habitat loss, invasive species, and pet trade pressures, and they urge the USFWS to coordinate on designating critical habitat.

The Department of War (DoW) supports the proposed Section 4(d) rule for the southern hognose snake and requests the inclusion of specific language to exempt incidental take resulting from land management and military training on DoW installations. They argue that their existing management practices, such as prescribed fires and the use of Integrated Natural Resources Management Plans (INRMPs), already contribute significantly to the species' conservation.

The commenter is a captive-born and -bred (CBB) southern hognose snake breeder who opposes the proposed Section 4(d) rule restricting interstate sales of these snakes. They argue that the domestic trade provides a conservation benefit by meeting hobbyist demand with captive-bred animals, thereby preventing the removal of snakes from the wild.

The commenter, identifying as an independent researcher, argues that the current record strongly supports listing the Southern Hognose Snake as endangered due to significant historical population loss and ongoing habitat destruction. They suggest that while the Service's future-condition modeling has structural limitations regarding recolonization, the current-condition data and unmodeled threats like fire ants and the pet trade justify the listing.

The South Carolina Department of Natural Resources supports the proposal to list the southern hognose snake as threatened, noting that surveys have shown a decline in detections and local extirpations. They emphasize the need for critical habitat evaluation, management, and consideration of landscape barriers like roads to ensure the species' persistence.

TerryAnn Towers Saint Amand supports the proposed listing of the southern hognose snake as a threatened species under the Endangered Species Act. The commenter argues that the snake faces significant threats from habitat loss, fragmentation, and climate change, and emphasizes the need for a precautionary approach to conservation.