Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants; Threatened Species Status With Section 4(d) Rule for Southern Hognose Snake
Key claim: The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is reopening the comment period and holding a public hearing on its proposed rule to list the southern hognose snake as a threatened species under the Endangered Species Act.
Abstract
(Proposed Rule · Interior Department, Fish and Wildlife Service) We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), are reopening the comment period on our August 29, 2025, proposed rule to list the southern hognose snake (Heterodon simus), a small, fossorial snake species from the coastal plains and sandhills across the southeastern United States, as a threatened species under the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended (Act) with protective regulations under section 4(d) of the Act (proposed rule). We are taking this action to conduct a public hearing and to allow all interested parties an additional opportunity to comment on the proposed rule. Comments previously submitted on the proposed rule need not be resubmitted and will be fully considered in our development of the final rule.
Why this matters
ESA listing decisions determine whether federal Section 7 consultation and Section 9 take prohibitions apply to activities across a species’ range, with direct consequences for permitting timelines, land management on public and private lands, and habitat-affecting industries such as forestry and development. Reopening the comment period signals ongoing stakeholder engagement before a final listing determination that would formally add regulatory constraints in the southeastern U.S.