Two Tiny Florida Snakes Now Officially Endangered
Published Date: 7/21/2026
Rule
Summary
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is officially listing two Florida snakes—the Key ring-necked snake and the rim rock crowned snake—as endangered starting August 20, 2026. This means these snakes get special protections to help save them from extinction. People and groups working in Florida’s wildlife and land areas should get ready for new rules to protect these rare snakes.
Analyzed Economic Effects
5 provisions identified: 0 benefits, 4 costs, 1 mixed.
Two Florida snakes listed Endangered
You who work on or own land in parts of Florida should know the Key ring-necked snake and the rim rock crowned snake are officially listed as endangered under the Endangered Species Act, effective August 20, 2026. The rule extends the Act's protections to those two species in Florida (Key ring‑necked snake and rim rock crowned snake).
Development named as a primary threat
The Service found that development is one of the main threats (Factor A) to both the Key ring‑necked snake and the rim rock crowned snake. If you own or develop land in Miami‑Dade County or the Florida Keys, development is explicitly identified in this rule as a threat to those species.
Sea level rise impacts quantified locally
The rule identifies sea level rise and saltwater intrusion (Factor A) as threats and reports that, in the most pessimistic scenario for Miami‑Dade County, about 2.3 percent of pine rocklands (52 acres / 21 ha) and 19 percent of rockland hammock (113 acres / 46 ha) are forecast to be impacted by sea level rise. If you own or manage coastal habitat in Miami‑Dade County, those specific acreage projections are included in the rule.
Fire suppression ranked high risk locally
The Service identifies fire suppression (Factor A) as a threat and concludes that fire suppression is a high‑risk threat for rim rock crowned snake populations in Miami‑Dade County. If you manage or care for pine rockland or rockland hammock areas in Miami‑Dade County, the rule explicitly discusses fire suppression as a high‑risk factor.
Big Pine/No Name Key HCP expired June 30, 2026
The final rule updates information that the habitat conservation plan (HCP) for Big Pine Key and No Name Key expired on June 30, 2026. If you were working under that HCP on Big Pine Key or No Name Key, the rule explicitly notes the HCP expiration date.
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Key Dates
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