Texas - Concho Water Snake - Nerodia Harteri Paucimaculata

	Concho Water Snake - Nerodia Harteri Paucimaculata
STATUS: Endangered with critical habitat. CRITICAL HABITAT:A stretch of the Concho River extending from Mulin's Crossing located 5 miles NE of the town of Veribest, downstream to the confluence of the Concho and Colorado Rivers, Tom Green and Concho Counties, Texas. A stretch of the Colorado River extending form FM 3115 bridge near the town of Maverick downstream to the confluence of the Colorado River and Salt Creek, NE of the town of Doole, Runnels, Concho, Coleman, and McCulloch Counties, Texas. The entire Stacy (Ivie) Reservoir basin up to a maximum water level of 1551.5 foot elevation, and including reservoir banks up to 15 vertical feet above the 1551.5 foot elevation. DESCRIPTION:A relatively small water snake, with adults rarely more than 3 feet. The Concho water snake has 21 to 23 dorsal scale rows, four rows of dark blotches alternately arranged on the grayish or reddish-brown dorsal surface, and distinct to obscure dark spots along either side of the pink to orange venter. Distinguished from the Brazos water snake (Nerodia harteri harteri) by having reduced, or often totally absent, ventral spotting and a more reddish venter. HABITAT: Adults live in either shallow or deep flowing water over various substrates, as long as there are sufficient deep, secure hiding places and suitable nursery areas nearby. Adults also use woody vegetation along the banks for basking. Specific habitat requirements for the young are riffles (shallow, rocky-bottomed flowing water) and medium to large, flat rocks on the shore which provide hiding places. DISTRIBUTION: Present: Discontinuously distributed over about 199 river miles of the Colorado and Concho Rivers in Brown, Coleman, Concho, Irion, Lampasas, McCulloch, Mills, Runnels, San Saba, and Tom Green Counties, in central and west Texas. Also occurs in Spence Reservoir and Lake Moonen. Historic: Occurred over about 276 river mile of the Colorado and Concho Rivers in west Texas. THREATS AND/OR REASONS FOR DECLINE: Habitat loss and degradation due to large, main-stream reservoirs on the Concho and Colorado Rivers, plus several smaller impoundments on tributary streams. Major impacts of these impoundments are (1) inundation of rocky shoreline and riffle habitat above dams, and (2) (below dams) restriction of streamflow, prevention of floodwater scouring, and resultant covering of the rocky streambed with silt. (Vegetative growth then eliminates riffle areas required by young.) Other reasons include water diversion for agricultural and other uses, incidental capturing and/or killing, and potentially pollution, including pesticides. OTHER INFORMATION: Fish is the primary food. The snakes feed mostly on red shiners, plains killifish, and speckled chub. Young are born alive, but specific reproductive site requirements have not been identified. Listed as endangered by the State of Texas. Recovery Team formed. Recovery Plan being prepared. REFERENCES: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. August 1992. Threatened and Endangered Species of Texas. Endangered Species Office, Albuquerque, New Mexico

Concho Water Snake - Nerodia Harteri Paucimaculata

STATUS: Endangered with critical habitat.

CRITICAL HABITAT:A stretch of the Concho River extending from Mulin's Crossing located 5 miles NE of the town of Veribest, downstream to the confluence of the Concho and Colorado Rivers, Tom Green and Concho Counties, Texas. A stretch of the Colorado River extending form FM 3115 bridge near the town of Maverick downstream to the confluence of the Colorado River and Salt Creek, NE of the town of Doole, Runnels, Concho, Coleman, and McCulloch Counties, Texas. The entire Stacy (Ivie) Reservoir basin up to a maximum water level of 1551.5 foot elevation, and including reservoir banks up to 15 vertical feet above the 1551.5 foot elevation.

DESCRIPTION:A relatively small water snake, with adults rarely more than 3 feet. The Concho water snake has 21 to 23 dorsal scale rows, four rows of dark blotches alternately arranged on the grayish or reddish-brown dorsal surface, and distinct to obscure dark spots along either side of the pink to orange venter. Distinguished from the Brazos water snake (Nerodia harteri harteri) by having reduced, or often totally absent, ventral spotting and a more reddish venter.

HABITAT: Adults live in either shallow or deep flowing water over various substrates, as long as there are sufficient deep, secure hiding places and suitable nursery areas nearby. Adults also use woody vegetation along the banks for basking. Specific habitat requirements for the young are riffles (shallow, rocky-bottomed flowing water) and medium to large, flat rocks on the shore which provide hiding places.

DISTRIBUTION:

Present: Discontinuously distributed over about 199 river miles of the Colorado and Concho Rivers in Brown, Coleman, Concho, Irion, Lampasas, McCulloch, Mills, Runnels, San Saba, and Tom Green Counties, in central and west Texas. Also occurs in Spence Reservoir and Lake Moonen.
Historic: Occurred over about 276 river mile of the Colorado and Concho Rivers in west Texas.

THREATS AND/OR REASONS FOR DECLINE: Habitat loss and degradation due to large, main-stream reservoirs on the Concho and Colorado Rivers, plus several smaller impoundments on tributary streams. Major impacts of these impoundments are (1) inundation of rocky shoreline and riffle habitat above dams, and (2) (below dams) restriction of streamflow, prevention of floodwater scouring, and resultant covering of the rocky streambed with silt. (Vegetative growth then eliminates riffle areas required by young.) Other reasons include water diversion for agricultural and other uses, incidental capturing and/or killing, and potentially pollution, including pesticides.

OTHER INFORMATION: Fish is the primary food. The snakes feed mostly on red shiners, plains killifish, and speckled chub. Young are born alive, but specific reproductive site requirements have not been identified. Listed as endangered by the State of Texas. Recovery Team formed. Recovery Plan being prepared.

REFERENCES:
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. August 1992. Threatened and Endangered Species of Texas. Endangered Species Office, Albuquerque, New Mexico