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Federal wildlife officials have formally listed the Key ring-necked snake, the rim rock crowned snake, and the Florida Keys mole skink as endangered species under the Endangered Species Act.
The final decisions, announced by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, extend full federal protections to three of Florida’s rarest native reptiles to assist in their long-term survival and recovery. Agency officials said the determinations reflect evaluations of the best available scientific data regarding population health and environmental threats.
“Florida’s extraordinary wildlife and habitats are found nowhere else in the world, and protecting them takes strong partnerships and sound science,” said U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Southeast Regional Director Mike Oetker. “Florida’s natural heritage and its vibrant economy are deeply connected. By using the best available science and working hand‑in‑hand with our local partners, we can protect imperiled wildlife while still encouraging responsible development and industry.”
The two listed snakes are small, nonvenomous species that inhabit limestone outcroppings within pine rocklands and rockland hammocks — ecosystems unique to South Florida and the Bahamas. The Key ring-necked snake lives exclusively in the Florida Keys, while the rim rock crowned snake occurs in Miami-Dade County and parts of the Keys. Both species were already protected under Florida state law as designated threatened species.
The Florida Keys mole skink, one of five mole skink varieties native to the state, is a slender, tan lizard with a distinctive pinkish-red tail that reaches up to five inches in length. Found only in Monroe County, the secretive lizard spends most of its life underground. Since 2000, sightings have been documented on just 15 islands in the Keys.
The agency originally proposed listing the Florida Keys mole skink as a threatened species. However, after reviewing public comments and additional scientific status reports, officials determined the subspecies faces a higher extinction risk than previously estimated, warranting full endangered status.
Under the Endangered Species Act, federal agencies must ensure that any projects they approve, fund, or carry out do not jeopardize the survival of these listed reptiles.
None of the final listing decisions include a critical habitat designation. According to federal guidelines, a listed species receives all legal protections under the Act regardless of whether specific critical habitat is formally designated.
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U.S. Granting Endangered Protections To Three Rare South Florida Reptiles
