The Center for Biological Diversity today again petitioned the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to protect the Tucson shovel-nosed snake as an endangered species under the Endangered Species Act.
The striking snake, which eats scorpions and is characterized by alternating black and red stripes over its cream-colored body, is severely threatened by urban sprawl from both Phoenix and Tucson. The snake has a small range limited to portions of Pima, Pinal and Maricopa counties — an area sometimes referred to as the “Sun Corridor megapolitan” for its rapid urbanization. The snake is particularly at risk because it only occurs on flat, valley bottoms that are prime development areas.
“The lovely Tucson shovel-nosed snake needed protection in 2004 when we first filed a petition, and it still needs it today,” said Noah Greenwald, endangered species director with the Center. “Federal safeguards for this snake will mean preserving more of the natural desert we all love.”
Following the Center’s first petition, the Fish and Wildlife Service found the snake warranted endangered species protection in 2010, but rather than actually grant the snake protections, instead put it on a candidate list.
Petition Aims to Protect Tucson Shovel-nosed Snake Under Endangered Species Act
The striking snake, which eats scorpions and is characterized by alternating black and red stripes over its cream-colored body, is severely threatened by urban sprawl from both Phoenix and Tucson. The snake has a small range limited to portions of Pima, Pinal and Maricopa counties — an area sometimes referred to as the “Sun Corridor megapolitan” for its rapid urbanization. The snake is particularly at risk because it only occurs on flat, valley bottoms that are prime development areas.
“The lovely Tucson shovel-nosed snake needed protection in 2004 when we first filed a petition, and it still needs it today,” said Noah Greenwald, endangered species director with the Center. “Federal safeguards for this snake will mean preserving more of the natural desert we all love.”
Following the Center’s first petition, the Fish and Wildlife Service found the snake warranted endangered species protection in 2010, but rather than actually grant the snake protections, instead put it on a candidate list.
Petition Aims to Protect Tucson Shovel-nosed Snake Under Endangered Species Act
