Indigo_Snake_Poster.pdf
PDF 297 KB Posted
- Attached to
- Construction of Clay County Fire Station No. 24
- Solicitation number
- 25/26-042
- Issued by
- Clay County, Harold CDP, Florida
About this file
This is an environmental compliance poster issued by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) in coordination with state wildlife agencies in Florida and Georgia regarding the federally-threatened Eastern Indigo Snake. The poster provides mandatory guidance for construction and land-disturbing activities where Eastern Indigo Snakes may be present. The document establishes protocols for personnel encountering live or dead snakes during project work, requiring immediate cessation of land-disturbing activities, notification of supervisors and USFWS field offices, and documentation through photography. For live snakes near active construction areas, work must pause pending guidance from USFWS representatives within one business day. Dead specimens must be photographed, soaked in water, and frozen for retrieval by appropriate wildlife agencies. The poster includes identification information distinguishing Eastern Indigo Snakes from similar species such as black racers, describing the snake's maximum length of eight feet and distinctive blue-black coloring with orange or reddish throat markings.
The poster emphasizes the severe legal consequences for violations, including civil penalties up to $25,000 and criminal penalties of up to $50,000 and/or imprisonment under the U.S. Endangered Species Act. Only authorized individuals possessing permits or Incidental Take Statements from USFWS Biological Opinions may handle Eastern Indigo Snakes. The snakes inhabit terrestrial habitats including uplands, wetlands, and agricultural areas, utilizing gopher tortoise burrows and other natural shelter. Contact information for USFWS Ecological Services Field Offices is provided: Florida Office at (352) 448-9151 and Georgia Office at (706) 613-9493. This compliance requirement applies directly to the Construction of Clay County Fire Station No. 24 project in Green Cove Springs, Florida.
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Text version
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 or any black 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 .