The U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service has been petitioned to list the eastern diamondback rattlesnake as a threatened or endangered species. Georgia Forestry Association encouraged to document sightings of the snake by filling out a survey administered by National Council for Air & Stream Improvement.
- Background: This species is located within the Lower Coastal Plain from Alabama through South Carolina. Historically, the species was also located in Louisiana, Mississippi, and North Carolina, but declining populations have seen the species extradited from these areas. The USFWS is currently undergoing a Species Status Assessment (SSA) on the eastern diamondback and will likely have the draft completed by Fall 2023.
- Request for help: NCASI has developed an online survey for landowners to submit and track observations of the eastern diamondback. The primary objective is to help document the range of the species along with the diversity of forest conditions they utilize. NCASI will utilize these survey findings to help inform the SSA with their comments but will remove and identification of respondents or landowners for their privacy. As we move into spring, please keep an eye out for the species.
- What you should do if you spot an Eastern Diamondback: If you believe you have identified an eastern diamondback on your property, please remain safe and take a photo of the snake along with your surroundings and send it to Dr. Angie Larsen-Gray (alarsen-gray@ncasi.org).
GFA will continue to monitor this issue and provide resources to landowners. If you have questions, please do not hesitate to contact Director of Membership & Grassroots Advocacy Tim Miller at tim@gfagrow.org for more information