On Thursday August 28, 2005, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service did an unexpected about-face and proposed that the Southern hognosed snake be listed as a threatened species under the Endangered Species Act. In 2019, the same agency declined to list the species. However, litigation forced a second look.Â
The listing will provide more attention and resources for this friendly snake.
The southern hognosed snake is a small, non-venemous snake that averages between 14 and 24 inches in length and feeds on small reptiles and amphibians. It only lives in the coastal plain regions of the Southeast United States in sandy soil habitats including sandhills, pine forests, coastal dunes and plains, dry river beds and sometimes suburban and agricultural areas. Â
Threats to the hognosed snake
The Fish and Wildlife Service reports that the species population has declined by 62% over the last 150 years. The snake was previously found from Misssissipi to North Carolina, however it has not been observed in Mississippi or Alabama since the 1970’s. It is often collected as a pet due to its sloped forehead and upturned nose, giving it its name and a cute, homely look that makes it attractive for reptile lovers.Â
Roads are a more significant threat to the species. The southern hognosed snake has a unique response when threatened and will freeze, turn belly-up and play dead. When these snakes encounter a road and get scared, they will unfortunately exhibit this behavior making them sitting snakes for vehicle strikes. In North Carolina, according to the Fish and Wildlife Service, of all observations of the southern hognosed snake in the state between 1985 and 2012, 84% were snakes found dead as roadkill.Â
When we think of roadkill and wildlife vehicle collisions, we may think of the sad horror of seeing a deer or raccoon dead on the side of the road. However, due to the high volume of roads crisscrossing our country, almost all terrestrial wildlife face the road gauntlet – including snakes. And even snakes have been shown to find and use wildlife crossings.
Culverts and underpasses, in particular, can provide a safe avenue for snakes and other reptiles (alligators too) to avoid the dangers of vehicles and roads.
What can be done?
Wildlife crossings save lives, animal and human. Such structures, which can be expensive, can end up saving money over the long term, as wildlife vehicle collisions cause more than $8 billion dollars in damage a year in the U.S. A research paper in 2018 identified that the average cost of a deer collision was over $8000. Yet, wildlife crossings can be over 90% effective in reducing collisions.Â
In 2021, the Wildlife Crossings Pilot Program, which was part of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Deal, provided funding to states to plan and build wildlife crossings. Funding for the program will sunset in 2026 without additional action by Congress. Additionally, many states have also set money aside for wildlife crossings, and more should do so.Â
The hognosed snake and other animals need our help. As you’re driving down the road, think about just how hard it would be for a small, friendly snake like the southern hognosed snake, who freezes when scared, to get across the road you’re driving on.
