Course logistics oneweek course held at old woman creek, huron, ohio, and stone laboratory, putinbay, ohio, may 2127, 2017. The keeled upperbody scales are gray to reddishbrown, with two rows of small, diffuse dark blotches along the midline, and a row of larger dark blotches alongside these. The upper body of the snake has a reddishbrown background with four rows of dark brown to black round alternating blotches. Prefer moist habitats, usually near streams, ditches, marshes, or ponds. The stouter females have tails 19 percent to 24 percent of total length and 44 to 61 subcaudals. There are over 25 different snake species found in ohio and out of those, three of them are said to be venomous. All three species are usually not aggressive and like to avoid humans by moving away or keeping still until the person is gone. The ohio state university course offering at stone laboratory. Langlois department of zoology and entomology, the ohio state university, columbus 10 near the western end of lake erie, there is a series of islands which were so notable for their snakes when the jesuit explorer, bonnecampe, visited the region. Reptiles of ohio f i e l d g u i d e ohio department of.
Plains garter snake its cousin, the eastern garter snake, is more popular in other states but in ohio, the plains garter snake is a popular. Usfws sued for not listing kirtland snake as endangered. A novel approach to identifying kirtlands snake habitat. Highly variable in color and pattern photo by william flaxington. Clonophis kirtlandii kirtlands snake has a total of 5 valid, nonduplicated collections representing 2 counties and 3 localities. Kirtlands snakes can grow to 36 to 62 cm in length. Kirtlands snake clonophis kirtlandii species status assessment. Kirtland s snake occurs in association with many wetland, grassland, and forest edge reptiles including butler s garter snake, brown snakes, eastern massassauga, water snakes, queen snakes, eastern fox snakes, spotted turtles, and the fivelined skinks. Kirtlands snakes are found in northern kentucky along the ohio river and an isolated population occurs in the jackson purchase. Although three out of the four frontfanged venomous snakes are endangered timber rattlesnake, cottonmouth, eastern massasauga rattlesnake and hard to find, the copperhead. Pdf on jan 1, 2010, benjamin christopher jellen and others published kirtlands snake clonophis kirtlandii find, read and cite all the research you need on researchgate. Its threatened status is mainly due to habitat loss from destruction and draining of prairie wetlands and. The belly is bright red to orange that is bordered a row of dark spots on each side.
Snakes are important food sources for many animals, in turn, they also prey on animals and keep populations in check. The head is darker with a whitish chin, throat and some scales around the mouth. Although encountered only occasionally, kirtland s snake ranges throughout the glaciated western half of ohio and into a few glacial outwashfilled valleys in southwestern ohio. Like the kirtlands warbler, the kirtlands water snake was named for doctor jared p. The species status assessment ssa report will inform the 12month finding by the u. They have keeled scales scales with a raised ridge along their length on the upper body that are grayish in color, with two rows of small dark blotches and a row of larger dark blotches along the midline of the snake. Kirtland s snake clonophis kirtlandii is a threatened or endangered depending on location north american species of nonvenomous snake of the subfamily natricinae, of the family colubridae. Kirtlands snake is a threatened species in illinois. The biggest threats to snake populations are habitat loss, persecution by humans, overuse of pesticides, and collection of wild snakes by hobbyists and reptile dealers. Fish and wildlife service service whether the kirtlands snake clonophis. This species has not been seen in pa in over 60 years. Fish and wildlife service for failing to protect the kirtlands snake clonophis kirtlandii, a colubrid snake that can be found in illinois, indiana, ohio, michigan, kentuck, and pennsylvania. Animalsake provides a picture gallery of the species of snakes found in indiana.
In the next few years, there may be a more focused effort to conduct broadscale edna sampling. A disjunct population occurs in western pennsylvania and northeastern missouri. The kirtlands snake spends the majority of its time in mammal and crayfish burrows, and under leaf litter, logs. Usfws sued for not listing kirtland snake as endangered species. Disturbance of the soil when kirtlands snakes are underground may cause injury or mortality of individuals. The three species of venomous snakes in pennsylvania are the timber rattlesnake, eastern massasauga and copperhead. The ks range includes the states of ohio, indiana, extreme southern michigan and extreme northern kentucky. With steep valleys, rugged hills, big lakes, long rivers, isolated islands and drainage basins, the state has plenty to offer the average snake looking to snack on waterdwelling creatures such as frogs, toads and even newts and. Discovery of new localities for the threatened kirtlands. This results in a total of 4 expeditions for the species, a measure of unique date. The kirtlands is a fossorial species and spend most of there lives underground.
We considered stressors that may be acting on the kirtlands snake, and these included habitat. They are darker above than the adults, with an indistinct or sometimes nonexistent blotch pattern, and have a deeper red color on the belly. Final report for survey and status of the eastern massasauga. Kirtlands snake ohio department of natural resources. Kirtlands snake one step closer to endangered species act protection habitat loss threatens rare reptile in michigan, ohio, illinois, indiana, kentucky chicago the center for biological diversity and the u. When first encountered, the little kirtland s snake usually flattens its bodymaking it appear largerand strikes repeatedly. These snakes prefer wet meadows, damp vacant lots, edges of swamp, and occasionally forested areas. Redbellied snakes are smaller and do not have dorsal blotches or rows of belly spots. It is known from only a few scattered locations in the central and northeastern parts of the state. Although three out of the four frontfanged venomous snakes are endangered timber rattlesnake, cottonmouth, eastern massasauga rattlesnake and hard to find, the copperhead is not.
Some like the slender green snake are masters of camouflage while others like the scarlet kingsnake display themselves with brilliant colors. When first encountered, the little kirtlands snake usually flattens its bodymaking it appear larger. Kirtland, an early physician and nationally renowned naturalist from lakewood, ohio, in cuyahoga county. When a snake sheds its skin it puts nutrients back into the soil. Fish and wildlife service for failing to protect the kirtland s snake clonophis kirtlandii, a colubrid snake that can be found in illinois, indiana, ohio, michigan, kentuck, and pennsylvania. Our goal is to document their distribution and help measure changes or trends in populations. They range in size from the tiny 7inch worm snake to the impressive 6foot black rat snake. Kirtlands snake one step closer to endangered species act. Sep 22, 2014 kirtlands snake one step closer to endangered species act protection habitat loss threatens rare reptile in michigan, ohio, illinois, indiana, kentucky chicago the center for biological diversity and the u. To test model predictions, we selected a gradient of likelihood of occurrence sites and conducted artificial cover object surveys and collected water samples to test for the presence of edna. Introduction the illinois state threatened kirtlands snake clonophis kirtlandii kennicott, 1856 is one of the rarest snakes in the midwest because of the nearly complete destruction of native prairie, its primary former habitat. The center for biological diversity has filed a lawsuit against the u. I have tried to group snakes to make it easier to distinguish between similarlooking species.
In addition to posting photos of all the snakes, i try to point out color variations within a species, where the species is found in ohio, and what the typical length of an adult is. Box 140, toledo, oh 43614 abstract the kirtlands snake clonophis kirtlandii is a species on the decline and is considered threatened or endangered throughout its remaining range. The city is also the location for many parks in the lake metroparks system, as well as the. Although they are the least aquatic of the water snakes, kirtlands snakes inhabit wet or damp, open habitats, often in close proximity to ponds, streams, and other waterbodies evers 1994.
Clonophis kirtlandii kirtlands snake is native to missouri collection summary. Kirtland is a city in lake county, ohio, united states. Inventory and monitoring of two statelisted snakes kirtland. Ohios wealth of natural resources includes almost 50. Observations of kirtlands snakes should be documented with photographs and verified by a species expert. Usfws forced to make decision on kirtland snake endangered. The kirtlands snake was once a common snake that was found in 100 counties in 8 states, but its population has since dwindled due to loss of its prairie wetland habitat.
The kirtland s is a fossorial species and spend most of there lives underground. Clonophis kirtlandii kirtland s snake is native to missouri collection summary. Rearing more than 500 hellbender salamanders in conjunction with penta career center for release into portions of their former range in eastern and southern ohio. Although encountered only occasionally, kirtlands snake ranges throughout the glaciated western half of ohio and into a few glacial outwashfilled valleys in southwestern ohio. Kentucky snakes introduction snakes are one of the most interesting groups of animals in kentucky. Kirtlands snakes in multiple years and are owned by conservation organizations or agencies. Kirtland is known for being the early headquarters of the latter day saint movement from 18311837 and is the site of the first mormon temple, the kirtland temple, completed in 1836. There are nearly 40 different species and subspecies of snakes that can be found in the hoosier state. Researching ohios rare snake species, including kirtlands snakes. Like the kirtland s warbler, the kirtland s water snake was named for doctor jared p. Garter snakes can be distinguished by their dorsal stripes, solid pale bellies, and undivided anal plate.
It is unclear to what extent habitat modification may impact kirtlands snake because as noted, it can persist in seemingly degraded environments for decades, so long as certain key features e. Notes on the food habits of kirtlands water snake, clonophis kirtlandii. Biokids kids inquiry of diverse species, clonophis. Snakes are predators they act as pest control slugs, insects, mice, etc. Inventory and monitoring of two statelisted snakes. Kirtlands snake species status assessment draft report. Fish and wildlife service reached a settlement today that requires the agency to decide whether the kirtlands snake warrants. Kirtland s snakes can grow to 36 to 62 cm in length. The ks historically occurred in open habitats conant 1943. Clonophis kirtlandii kirtland s snake has a total of 5 valid, nonduplicated collections representing 2 counties and 3 localities. One of the smallest common snakes of ohio, itll only grow to a maximum length of about 15 inches, commonly spotted in the borders of lake erie along with east, south and central ohio. Reports of venomous snakebites are rare in pennsylvania.
There are a total of 3 collectors and 4 collection dates for the species. This post is meant as an aid to snake identification. Ohio, we created a preliminary kirtlands snake distribution model for 22 counties in the state. A novel approach to identifying kirtlands snake habitat along lake erie sg 5282018 pi. Kirtlands snake clonophis kirtlandii species status. The diverse habitat found in indiana is wellsuited for a host of snakes to call it their home. Report on annual meeting conservation, management, and. Photo by matthiis hollanders eastern hognosed snake heterodon platirhinos. It is not a lizard, but rather the last representative of a group of reptiles that flourished about 200 million years ago. This includes wet grasslands, margins of streams, lakes, swamps and meadowlands. The snake is currently found in scattered pockets in ohio, illinois, indiana and kentucky. The michigan herp atlas began in 2004 in an effort to collect observational data about michigans amphibians and reptiles.