The final recovery plan for the threatened black pinesnake, an Alabama and Mississippi species, is now available. The Service’s goal is to help this species thrive once again and remove it from the Federal List of Endangered and Threatened Wildlife.
A crucial component of this recovery plan is the restoration and protection of the black pinesnake’s natural habitat. This habitat includes areas with sandy, well-drained soils, an open-canopied overstory of pine trees, a reduced shrub layer, abundant herbaceous groundcover, and plenty of underground hiding places, like holes in tree stumps. Frequent fire is crucial for maintaining this habitat.
“The historical range of the black pinesnake is highly correlated with the historical range of the longleaf pine ecosystem, and this ecosystem has been reduced to less than five percent of its original extent primarily due to human impacts,” said U.S. Fish and Wildlife Biologist John Tupy. “Expanding habitat availability throughout the snake's historical range will help improve its overall resiliency leaving it less vulnerable to adverse local impacts or random events.”
The Service will work with State Wildlife Agencies, Federal agencies, non-governmental organizations and private landowners to protect and restore this type of habitat and seek ways to help expand these efforts for an even bigger effect. The Service is also continuing to pursue conservation agreements and grant opportunities to assist with improvement efforts.
The Service made the draft recovery plan available for review. No comments were received so the Service is now making available a finalized recovery plan. The plan is available for download at the following websites:
- https://www.fws.gov/program/recovery/recovery-plans
- https://www.fws.gov/office/mississippi-ecological-services
- https://ecos.fws.gov/ecp/species/452
For a mailed copy, send a request to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, 6578 Dogwood View Parkway
Suite A Jackson, MS 39213-7856.
The mission of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is working with others to conserve, protect, and enhance fish, wildlife, plants, and their habitats for the continuing benefit of the American people. For more information on our work and the people who make it happen, visit https://www.fws.gov/program/southeast-region. Connect with us on social media: Facebook, X(formerly known as Twitter), Flickr, and YouTube.
