Rare Northern Mexican Gartersnake Found Along Gila River
Rare Northern Mexican Gartersnake Found Along the Gila River
Northern Mexican Gartersnake -Doug Hotle/Abq BioPark |
Scientists are thrilled with the recent discovery of the Northern Mexican Gartersnake in New Mexico. Thought to have been extirpated from New Mexico, biologists from the Albuquerque BioPark found three of the snakes along the Gila River. The snake was once found throughout Arizona, southwestern New Mexico and northern Mexico, but its range has been reduced by more than 90% from water diversions, drought, overgrazing and wildfires. Non-native species also threaten young snakes. The snake is listed as state endangered and is a candidate for federal listing under the Endangered Species Act. Soon you’ll be able to see one of the snakes at the Reptile House at Albuquerque BioPark.
Finding of Rare Gartersnake underscores need to protect New Mexico’s Gila River by National Geographic Society’s Sandra Postel