Zoë Kravitz says she "completely destroyed" Taylor Swift's bathroom while rescuing her mother's pet snake.
* The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has proposed listing the southern hognose snake as a threatened species.
* Habitat loss, road mortality, and non-native species are the primary threats to the snake's survival.
* The southern hognose snake is non-venomous to humans and is known for faking its own death when threatened.
If you capture this snake in South Carolina, you'll want to let it loose.
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service proposes listing the southern hognose snake a threatened species under the Endangered Species Act.
Habitat loss, fragmentation, road mortality, and non-native species are threats faced by the creatures that depend on "open-canopy, upland habitats with sandy hills and grassy understory -- conditions historically maintain by fire," according to an August 29 press release from the federal agency.
The agency also proposes a rule under Section 4 (d) of the act that outlines protections and exceptions to prohibitions of take caused by certain land management activities.
"Conserving the southern hognose snake is also about protecting the vital landscapes that benefit our communities," said Service Field Office Supervisor Christy Johnson Hughes. "We are working with the Longleaf Alliance, The Nature Conservancy, state wildlife agencies, and private landowners to conserve the open-canopy, fire-dependent ecosystems, to preserve natural buffers that reduce storm damage, enhance water quality and support local economies and livelihoods."
What is the southern hognose snake?
Southern hognose snakes are found along the Eastern U.S. with populations in the Carolinas, Florida, and Georgia. The snake is small with a heavy body and can be gray, tan, or reddish with a series of blotches down their back and sides, and have an upturned nose, per the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission. At full growth, snakes among the species can range from 18-22 inches long.
How can I distinguish the southern hognose snake from snakes that look similar?
Here is how to tell the southern hognose snake apart from snakes they are often confused for:
* Eastern hognose snake: Southern hognose snake has a less upturned snout and darker belly.
* Dusky pygmy snake: This snake has a blunt nose and rattle that the southern hognose does not have.
* Short-tailed snake: This snake is slender compared to the heavy body of the southern hognose.
Is the southern hognose snake dangerous to humans?
No, the venom delivery system from the southern hognose snake is not designed to harm humans. The species spends most of its time underground and will initiate a mock strike when confronted, which involves hissing and flattening their head and neck out. Some snakes will even fake their death by rolling over with their tongue out, staying in the position for a few minutes until the threat subsides. The species primarily feeds on frogs and toads, although a smaller portion of their diet consists of lizards and small mammals.
How will proposed 4 (d) rule address snake threats?
Proposed 4 (d) rule under the Endangered Species Act would allow exceptions to "take" resulting from conservation-oriented land management activities which include prescribed burns, sustainable forestry practices, invasive plant control, and certain utility maintenance.
Nina Tran covers trending topics for The Greenville News. Reach her via email at [email protected].