UPDATE 6/5/26: This update will be posted in the Federal Register on June 8. FWS is reopening the comment period for 30 days on the proposed rule to list the southern hognose snake (Heterodon simus) as a threatened species under the Endangered Species Act. Comments previously submitted need not be resubmitted and will be fully considered in preparation of the final rule.
Public hearing: On June 25, 2026, FWS will hold a public hearing on the proposed rule from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. Eastern Time. The public hearing will allow an opportunity to present verbal testimony.
Register for the hearing at https://empsi.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_NGVA5rxMRtG1jvFUWX9DQg.
Comment on or after June 8 at https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2026/06/08/2026-11414/endangered-and-threatened-wildlife-and-plants-threatened-species-status-with-section-4d-rule-for and click “Submit A Public Comment” at the top right.
Read the full document at https://usark.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/26-Southern-hognose-notice.pdf. This will be posted on June 8 at https://www.regulations.gov/docket/FWS-R4-ES-2025-0210.
FWS contact: Christy Johnson-Hughes at christy_johnsonhughes@fws.gov or 843–727–4707
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) has proposed to list the southern hognose snake (Heterodon simus), as a threatened species under the Endangered Species Act (ESA). FWS has found that the southern hognose faces serious threats from habitat loss and degradation as a result of land conversion and fragmentation causing loss of connectivity between populations, road mortality, invasive species (red ants, feral hogs, and cogongrass), and climate change.
The comment deadline is October 28, 2025.
Comment and get full details at https://www.federalregister.gov/public-inspection/2025-16688/endangered-and-threatened-species-status-with-section-4d-rule-for-southern-hognose-snake.
We have the document posted at https://usark.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/25-western-hognose-esa.pdf.
For more information, contact Christy Johnson-Hughes, Field Supervisor, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, South Carolina Ecological Services Field Office; 843–727–4707; christy_johnsonhughes@fws.gov
