A light phenotype New Mexico ridge-nosed rattlesnake coils

A light phenotype example of the New Mexico ridge-nosed rattlesnake. While there are more than 30 rattlesnake species in the U.S., just two of them are listed in the Endangered Species Act. One of them is the New Mexico ridge-nosed rattlesnake. Imperiled by habitat loss, illegal collection and a drying climate, they’re known to occur in just three of the approximately 57 different sky island mountain ranges in the region, and partners are considering assisted migration to establish new populations in sky islands that host more humid conditions. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is serving as a funding partner through The Recovery Challenge grant program that provides funding to non-federal partners working on implementing high-priority recovery actions for species listed as endangered and threatened under the Endangered Species Act. (Credit: Jeff Servoss/USFWS)