USFWS reviewing 10 herps for Endangered Species listings

Prompted by a petition in 2012 by the Center for Biological Diversity the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is reviewing 10 species of reptiles and amphibians to consider them for federal protection under the Endangered Species Act, despite many of the listed species enjoying protection of state laws in their home range. According to media reports USFWS will seek to collect additional information for a more thorough review of the following reptiles and amphibians:

• Alligator snapping turtle
• Apalachicola kingsnake
• Cedar Key mole skink
• Gopher frog
• Green salamander
• Illinois chorus frog in
• Key ring-necked snake
• Rim Rock crowned snake
• Southern hog-nosed snake
• Spotted turtle

According to the USFWS "For those petitions that will move on to a more in-depth review, that process will include the opportunity for significant input from states, partners, stakeholders, and the public." To read more about this issue, view the original article on GulfLive.com. kingsnake.com will post more information on the public input process here as it becomes available. Alligator Snapper gallery photo by kingsnake.com user LEESTOPCUT.