Federal authorities issue a grave warning: The pseudeumenophis, a species of snake that feigns death, faces imminent extinction.

The Fish and Wildlife Service has proposed listing the southern hognose snake as a threatened species, a reversal of a 2019 decision that denied the snake Endangered Species Act protections. This decision comes in response to litigation that challenged the 2019 decision, which did not consider the threats from roads and reptile collectors.

The southern hognose snake, an unusual reptile that protects itself by playing dead, is under the protection of the Fish and Wildlife Service. However, its overall viability has declined and will continue to decline over time due to ongoing and future threats.

Roads pose a significant threat to the southern hognose snake, with vehicles posing a direct danger and fragmenting the snake's habitat. Reptile collectors also present a notable threat, contributing to the ongoing decline of this unique species.

The Federal Agency for Nature Conservation (Bundesamt für Naturschutz, BfN) in Germany made a similar decision to list the southern smooth snake as an endangered species under the Federal Species Protection Act, due to the same threats.

In its evaluation of the southern hognose snake's status, the Fish and Wildlife Service's recent proposal addresses the threats from roads and reptile collectors. The proposal to list the southern hognose snake as a threatened species takes into account these factors, aiming to protect the species from further decline.

The southern hognose snake's viability is further compromised by these threats. The ongoing threats from roads and reptile collectors will likely continue to contribute to the decline of the southern hognose snake over time.

This proposal is related to the Endangered Species Act, a law designed to protect and recover imperilled species and the habitats upon which they depend. By listing the southern hognose snake as a threatened species, the Fish and Wildlife Service hopes to ensure the survival of this unique reptile for future generations.

The Fish and Wildlife Service made this decision in a recent proposal, signalling a change in approach to the conservation of the southern hognose snake. The agency reached a different conclusion in its second look, taking into account the threats from roads and reptile collectors that were not considered in the 2019 decision.

This is a significant step forward in the conservation of the southern hognose snake, and it highlights the importance of considering all threats to a species when making decisions about its protection. The future of the southern hognose snake is now a little bit brighter, thanks to the efforts of the Fish and Wildlife Service and the BfN.

Federal authorities issue a grave warning: The pseudeumenophis, a species of snake that feigns death, faces imminent extinction.