Listing
Dec 30, 1982
Dec 30, 1982 Listing
Review of Vertebrate Wildlife for Listing as End. or Thr. Species
- Publication type: CNOR
Item 1
FWS Focus
Overview
Characteristics
Overview
The rim rock crowned snake, (Tantilla oolitica) is a small, non-venomous snake belonging to the Colubridae family. Its name is derived from the Miami Rim Rock land arrangement. This elusive serpent leads a secretive lifestyle living underground in the lower Florida Keys.
Threats
Several factors endanger the rim rock crowned snake’s survival. Saltwater intrusion from rising seas and increasingly severe and frequent storms could eliminate 80% of its range. Urban development and fire suppression compound?those?threats. Additionally, predators like the coral snake and slender brown scorpion contribute to the challenges faced by this species. Its habitat of pine rocklands is globally designated as imperiled.
Partnerships, Research and Projects
The rim rock crowned snake is listed in the State of Florida as “state-designated threatened,” and is protected against intentional harm, harassment, possession, or selling. In addition, the Florida’s Imperiled Species Management Plan created by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission addresses the conservation needs of the snake and other species through a comprehensive approach. The plan provides incidental take permitting standards and guidelines, and integrated conservation strategies and actions.
Some habitat protections are currently in place for the rim rock crowned snake. Miami-Dade County’s Environmentally Endangered Lands Program and Natural Forest Communities program provide some protections for pine rocklands and other natural areas from development. The program also funds land management to maintain and improve the habitat. The Coral Reef Commons Habitat Conservation Plan was established within the Richmond Pine Rocklands proposed unit on private property. As part of the plan and permit, the on-site preserves, which is the same as the area for proposed critical habitat designation, will be managed in perpetuity for pine rocklands habitat and sensitive and listed species, including the rim rock crowned snake. Monroe County implemented a Habitat Conservation Plan for Big Pine and No Name Keys in 2006, which requires development projects to fulfill the plan’s mitigation requirement of conserving native habitat such as pine rocklands. Additionally, suitable habitat for the rim rock crowned snake is protected within federal preserves such as Everglades National Park, Crocodile Lake National Wildlife Refuge, and the National Key Deer Refuge; although the rim rock crowned snake has only been documented in the National Key Deer Wildlife Refuge and Crocodile Lake National Wildlife Refuge.
Scientific Name
Tantilla oolitica
Common Name
Rim Rock Crowned Snake
FWS Category
Reptiles
Identification Numbers
Characteristics
Characteristic category
Food
Characteristics
Food
The snake’s diet likely includes centipedes, insects, and other small invertebrates.
Characteristic category
Life Cycle
Characteristics
Life Span
In the wild, these snakes likely mature around 2 years old and can live up to 5 years.
Reproduction
Sexual maturity occurs around age 2, although in South Florida’s warmer climates, it may happen earlier. The species produces up to two clutches annually, each having approximately three eggs.
Characteristic category
Habitat
Characteristics
Habitat
The Key ring-necked snake occurs in limestone substrate and outcropping in pine rocklands and rockland hammock habitats.
Pine Rocklands: These critical ecosystems feature an oolitic limestone substrate with crevices, rock rubble piles, and organic matter-filled solution holes. A fire regime every 5 to 7 years helps maintain this habitat, ensuring freshwater sources and suitable prey availability.
Hardwood Hammock: Like pine rocklands, this habitat provides oolitic limestone, rock rubble, and organic matter pockets. It also offers prey and freshwater sources.
Coastal Areas: The snake can be found near coastal lands.
Characteristic category
Behavior
Characteristics
Behavior
These secretive snakes inhabit moist, shallow soil over limestone formations, including rotten stumps, fallen logs, and rock pockets. Their preferred region is the southeastern part of Miami-Dade County, in the Miami Rockridge—a limestone formation nestled between the Atlantic coast and the Everglades.
Characteristic category
Physical Characteristics
Characteristics
Size & Shape
The rim rock crowned snake is a pinkish-tan small-bodied snake that grows up to 7 to 9 inches. It has a black cap, a tan-to-beige back, and a belly of pinkish-white to cream color. Its head and neck are brown-black with a pale cream-tan snout. Its scales are smooth. The Rim Rock Crowned Snake exhibits sexual dimorphism—females are longer but have shorter tails than males.
Geography
Characteristics
Range
Before 2000, approximately 40 sightings occurred across metropolitan Miami, spanning various localities such as Brownsville, Chapman Field, Coconut Grove, Coral Gables, Cutler, Cutler Ridge, Kendall, Leisure City, Homestead, North Miami, Southwest Miami, and Perrine. Notably, the rim rock crowned snake was spotted at The Barnacle Historic State Park in 2007 and at Zoo Miami in 2009 and 2012, within its pineland preserve.
Timeline
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