Gray ratsnake (Elaphe spiloides) COSEWIC assessment and status report: chapter 1

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COSEWIC
Assessment Summary

Assessment Summary – April 2007 (Great Lakes/St. Lawrence Population)

Common name:
Gray Ratsnake

Scientific name:
Elaphe Spiloides

Status:
Threatened

Reason for designation:
This large snake occupies a restricted region in Ontario and is threatened by ongoing development and by expansion of the road network. Development is especially a threat to hibernacula, which may be limiting. Roads represent a significant threat because of the snakes' late age of maturity and low reproductive rate. Snakes are also killed on roads because they move slowly and may bask on roads.

Occurrence:
Ontario

Status history:
The species was considered a single unit and designated Threatened in April 1998 and in May 2000. Split into two populations in April 2007. The Great Lakes/St. Lawrence population was designated Threatened in April 2007.

 

Assessment Summary – April 2007 (Carolinian Population)

Common name:
Ratsnake

Scientific name:
Elaphe Spiloides

Status:
Endangered

Reason for designation:
This population consists of only 4 highly disjunct subpopulations in southwest Ontario, all of which are small and isolated, and surrounded by agricultural and developed terrain. Their slow rate of reproduction and late age of maturity makes them especially vulnerable to increases in adult mortality from road traffic and agricultural machinery.

Occurrence:
Ontario

Status history:
The species was considered a single unit and designated Threatened in April 1998 and in May 2000. Split into two populations in April 2007. The Carolinian population was designated Endangered in April 2007.

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