Eastern_Indigo_Snake_Poster_20240509_v4.pdf
PDF 274 KB Posted
- Attached to
- Lake Geneva Restoration Project
- Solicitation number
- 25/26-013
- Issued by
- Clay County, Harold CDP, Florida
About this file
This is an informational poster issued by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) regarding the Eastern Indigo Snake, a federally-threatened species that may be present on the Lake Geneva Restoration Project site in Clay County, Florida. The poster provides guidance for contractors and workers who may encounter live or dead eastern indigo snakes during Phase I of the Lake Geneva Restoration Project, which involves the removal of trees measuring four inches in diameter or greater from the exposed lakebed. The document emphasizes that killing, harming, or harassing eastern indigo snakes is strictly prohibited under State and Federal law, with civil penalties up to $25,000 and criminal penalties up to $50,000 and/or imprisonment. Site personnel are instructed to stop land-disturbing activities immediately upon encountering a live snake, allow it to move away without interference, document the sighting with photographs, and notify their supervisor and the appropriate USFWS Ecological Services Field Office within one day for further guidance. For dead snakes, workers must also cease activities, notify supervisors and USFWS, photograph the specimen, and preserve it by soaking and freezing for agency retrieval.
The Eastern Indigo Snake is described as one of North America's largest non-venomous snakes, reaching up to eight feet in length, with glossy blue-black scales and slate blue coloring, often featuring orange, reddish, or cream-colored throat markings. The species inhabits various terrestrial environments including uplands, wetlands, and agricultural areas, sheltering in gopher tortoise burrows and other natural structures. Contact information for USFWS offices is provided: Florida Office at (352) 448-9151 and Georgia Office at (706) 613-9493. Only authorized individuals with appropriate permits or Incidental Take Statements may handle eastern indigo snakes. The poster includes identification guidance to distinguish eastern indigo snakes from similarly-appearing black racers, which have thinner bodies and white or cream chins.
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ATTENTION
Federally-Threatened Eastern Indigo Snakes may be present on this site!
Killing, harming, or harassing eastern indigo snakes is strictly prohibited and punishable under
State and Federal Law.
If you see a LIVE eastern indigo snake on the site:
• Stop land disturbing activities and allow the snake time to move away from the site without interference. Do NOT attempt to touch or handle the snake.
• Take photographs of the snake, if possible, for identification and documentation purposes.
• Immediately notify supervisor/agent, and a U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) Ecological
Services Field Office, with the location information and condition of the snake.
• If the snake is located near clearing or construction activities that will cause harm to the snake, the activities must pause until a representative of the USFWS returns the call (within one day) with further guidance.
If you see a DEAD eastern indigo snake on the site:
• Stop land disturbing activities and immediately notify supervisor/applicant, and a USFWS Ecological Services Field Office, with the location information and condition of the snake.
• Take photographs of the snake, if possible, for identification and documentation purposes.
• Thoroughly soak the dead snake in water and then freeze the specimen. The appropriate wildlife agency will retrieve the dead snake.
DESCRIPTION. The eastern indigo snake is one of the largest non-venomous snakes in North America, reaching up to 8 ft long. Named for the glossy, blue-black scales above and slate blue below, they often have orange to reddish color (cream color in some cases) in the throat area. They are not typically aggressive.
SIMILAR SPECIES. The black racer resembles the eastern indigo snake. However, black racers have a white or cream chin, and thinner bodies.
LIFE HISTORY. Eastern indigo snakes live in a variety of terrestrial habitat types. Although they prefer uplands, they also use wetlands and agricultural areas. They will shelter inside gopher tortoise burrows, other animal burrows, stumps, roots, and debris piles. Females may lay from 4 to 12 white eggs as early as April through June, with young hatching in late July through October.
PROTECTED STATUS. The eastern indigo snake is protected by the USFWS, Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, and Georgia Department of Natural Resources.
Any attempt to kill, harm, harass, pursue, hunt, shoot, wound, trap, capture, collect, or engage eastern indigo snakes is prohibited by the U.S. Endangered Species Act. Penalties include a maximum fine of $25,000 for civil violations and up to $50,000 and/or imprisonment for criminal offenses. Only authorized individuals with a permit (or an Incidental Take Statement associated with a USFWS Biological Opinion) may handle an eastern indigo snake.
Please contact your nearest USFWS Ecological Services Field Office if a live or dead eastern indigo snake is encountered:
Florida Office: (352) 448-9151 Georgia Office: (706) 613-9493
Gopher tortoise and burrow. Credit: James Hunt
Eastern indigo snake. Credit: Dirk Stevenson
Credit: Dirk Stevenson
File details come from the government source that posted it. Updated .