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TEXAS STATE AND FEDERALLY PROTECTED SPECIES


In Texas there are 38 taxa which include 13 species of amphibians, 11 species of snakes, 4 species of lizards, and 10 species of turtles that are listed as endangered, threatened, or otherwise protected by state law. "Endangered species" are those species which the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TP&W) has determined to be threatend with statewide extinction. "Threatened species" are those species which the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TP&W) has determined are likely to become endangered in the future. In addition to the Endangered and Threatend species listed by the State of Texas, the Texas Diamond-backed Terrapin (Malaclemys terrapin littoralis) is also protected by under Chapter 57.927 of Title 31 of the Texas Administrative Code (TAC).

Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TP&W) regulations prohibit the taking, possession, transportation, or sale of any species designated as endangered, threatened, or otherwise protected without the issuance of a scientific collecting permit.

State laws and regulations pertaining endangered or threatened species are contained in Chapters 67 and 68 of the Texas Parks and Wildlife Code and Sections 65-171 - 65-18 of Title 31 of the Texas Administrative Code (TAC).

In addition, 10 taxa including 4 amphibians, 5 turtles, and 1 crocodilian are listed as being endangered or threatened under the federal endangered species regulations and are provided protection by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS).

The species listed below are those that are protected under these laws:


AMPHIBIANS

Barton Springs Salamander (Eurycea sosorum)  -  State Endangered, Federal Endangered

Black-spotted Newt (Notophtalmus meridionalis)  -  State Threatened

Blanco Blind Salamander (Eurycea robusta)  -  State Threatened

Cascade Caverns Salamander (Eurycea latitans)  -  State Threatened

Comal Blind Salamander (Eurycea tridentifera)  -  State Threatened

San Marcos Salamander (Eurycea nana)  -  State Threatened, Federal Threatened

South Texas Siren (large form)  (Siren sp. 1)  -  State Threatened

Texas Blind Salamander (Eurycea rathbuni)  -  State Endangered, Federal Endangered

Houston Toad (Bufo houstonensis)  -  State Endangered, Federal Endangered

Mexican Burrowing Toad (Rhinophrynus dorsalis)  -  State Threatened

Mexican Treefrog (Smilisca baudinii)  -  State Threatened

Sheep Frog (Hypopachus variolosus)  -  State Threatened

White-lipped Frog (Leptodactylus labialis)  -  State Threatened

SNAKES

Black-striped Snake (Coniophanes imperialis)  -  State Threatened

Brazos Water Snake (Nerodia harteri)  -  State Threatened

Indigo Snake (Drymarchon corais)  -  State Threatened

Louisiana Pine Snake (Pituophis ruthveni)  -  State Threatened, Federal Status Pending

Mexican Lyre Snake (Trimorphodon vilkinsonii)  -  State Threatened

Northern Cat-eyed Snake (Leptodeira septentrionalis)  -  State Threatened

Scarlet Snake (Cemophora coccinea)  -  State Threatened (Includes both copei & lineri ssp.)

Smooth Green Snake (Liochlorophis vernalis)  -  State Threatened

Speckled Racer (Drymobius margaritiferus)  -  State Threatened

Timber Rattlesnake (Crotalus horridus)  -  State Threatened

Trans-Pecos Black-headed Snake (Tantilla cucullata)  -  State Threatened

LIZARDS

Mountain Short-horned Lizard (Phrynosoma herandesi)  -  State Threatened

Texas Horned Lizard (Phrynosoma cornutum)  -  State Threatened, Federal Status Pending

Reticulate Collared Lizard (Crotaphytus reticulatus)  -  State Threatened

Reticulated Gecko (Coleonyx reticulatus)  -  State Threatened

TURTLES

Green Sea Turtle (Chelonia mydas)  -  State Threatened, Federal Threatened

Hawksbill Sea Turtle (Eretmochelys imbricata)  -  State Endangered, Federal Endangered

Kemp's Ridley Sea Turtle (Lepidochelys kempii)  -  State Endangered, Federal Endangered

Leatherback Sea Turtle (Dermochelys coriacea)  -  State Endangered, Federal Endangered

Loggerhead Sea Turtle (Caretta caretta)  -  State Threatened, Federal Threatened

Alligator Snapping Turtle (Macrochelys temminckii)  -  State Threatened

Cagle's Map Turtle (Graptemys caglei)  -  State Threatened, Federal Status Pending

Mexican Plateau Mud Turtle (Kinosternon hirtipes murrayi  -  State Threatened

Texas Diamond-backed Terrapin (Malaclemys terrapin littoralis)  -  Protected under Title 31, Part 2, Chapter
                                                                                                        57.927(g)(10) Texas Administrative Code
Texas Tortoise (Gopherus berlandieri)  -  State Threatened

CROCODILIANS

American Alligator (Alligator mississippiensis)  -  Federal Threatened


§     §     §


It is also important to note that since 2007 it is illegal to hunt or collect reptiles and amphibians from public roadways and right-of-wsys in Texas. There are also a number of state regulations in place regarding commerical collecting in Texas. The below TP&W links provide more information concerning non-game commerical permits and commerical collection in Texas:

Nongame Regulations - Frequently Asked Questions

Nongame Dealer Notice of Importation/Exportation

Application for Dealer Permit to Collect, Purchase and Resell Nongame Wildlife

Texas Administrative Code Regulations regarding Commercial Nongame Permits

Texas Turtle Regulations and Identification Key

Controlled Exotic Snakes in Texas

                                                                                                                                                  Last updated 03 Nov 2011


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