Atlantic Salt Marsh snake (Nerodia clarkii taeniata)
Kingdom: Animalia Class: Reptilia Order: Squamata Family: Colubridae
Listing Status:
General Information
The Atlantic salt marsh snake is a slender, heavily keeled water snake about 2 feet in total length, with a pattern of stripes that are variously broken into blotches. The dorsal ground color is pale olive, patterned with a pair of dark brown stripes running down the back and enclosing a pale mid-dorsal stripe. These dark stripes usually become fragmented posteriorly into a series of elongate blotches. There is also a row of dark blotches along the lower sides of the body, which merge to form stripes in the neck region. The ventral surface is black with a median series of yellowish spots. This snake feeds on small fish in shallow water. It is most active at night, during periods of low tide.
- States/US Territories in which the Atlantic Salt Marsh snake is known to occur: Florida
- USFWS Refuges in which the Atlantic Salt Marsh snake is known to occur:
MERRITT ISLAND NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE
- For more information: http://www.fws.gov/northflorida/Species-Accounts/SpeciesInfo.htm
» Federal Register Documents
| Date | Citation Page | Title |
|---|---|---|
| 04/26/2007 | 72 FR 20866 20868 | Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants; 5-Year Review of 22 Southeastern Species |
| 11/29/1977 | 42 FR 60743 60745 | Final Threatened Status Determination for Atlantic Salt Marsh Snakes; 42 FR 60743 60745 (Nerodia fasciatata taeniata) |
| 06/02/1977 | 42 FR 28165 28166 | Proposed Threatened Status for Atlantic Salt Marsh Snake; 42 FR 28165 28166 (Natrix fasciata taeniata) |
» Recovery
Recovery Plan Information Search| Date | Title | Plan Action Status | Plan Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| 12/15/1993 | Atlantic Salt Marsh Snake | View Implementation Progress | Final |
| Date | Citation Page | Title | Document Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| 04/26/2007 | 72 FR 20866 20868 | Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants; 5-Year Review of 22 Southeastern Species |
| Date | Title |
|---|---|
| 03/24/2008 | Atlantic salt marsh snake 5-Year Review |
» Critical Habitat
No critical habitat rules have been published for the Atlantic Salt Marsh snake.
» Conservation Plans
No conservation plans have been created for Atlantic Salt Marsh snake
» Petitions
No petition findings have been published for the Atlantic Salt Marsh snake.
» Life History
Habitat Requirements
The Atlantic salt marsh snake inhabits coastal salt marshes and mangrove swamps. Specifically, it occurs along shallow tidal creeks and pools, in a saline environment ranging from brackish to full strength. It is often associated with fiddler crab burrows.
Movement / Home Range
Although historically reported from coastal areas of Volusia, Brevard, and Indian River counties, Florida, it now appears to be restricted to a limited coastal strip in Volusia County. Its population level is currently unknown.
Reproductive Strategy
Little is known about the life history of this snake, but it is probably similar to the Gulf salt marsh snake. Females of the Gulf Coast race produce from 2 to 14 live young, usually in mid-summer.
» Other Resources
NatureServe Explorer Species Reports -- NatureServe Explorer is a source for authoritative conservation information on more than 50,000 plants, animals and ecological communtities of the U.S and Canada. NatureServe Explorer provides in-depth information on rare and endangered species, but includes common plants and animals too. NatureServe Explorer is a product of NatureServe in collaboration with the Natural Heritage Network.
ITIS Reports -- ITIS (the Integrated Taxonomic Information System) is a source for authoritative taxonomic information on plants, animals, fungi, and microbes of North America and the world.
