In Texas there are twelve species of snakes, including one venomous species that are listed as either endangered or threatened species and protected by state law. "Endangered species" are those species which the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department have determined to be threatend with statewide extinction. "Threatened species" are those species which the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department have determined are likely to become endangered in the future.
Texas Parks and Wildlife Department regulations prohibit the taking, possession, transportation, or sale of any species designated as endangered or threatened without the issuance of a scientific collecting permit. In addition, some species that are listed as threatened or endangered under state law are also protected under the federal endangered species regulations and are provided additional protection by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.
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.
The species listed below are those that are protected under these laws:
Black-striped Snake (Coniophanes imperialis imperialis) - Threatened
Brazos Water Snake (Nerodia harteri) - Threatened
Texas Lyre Snake (Trimorphodon lambda vilkinsonii) - Threatened
Concho Water Snake (Nerodia paucimaculata) - Threatened (Federally Protected)
Texas Indigo Snake (Drymarchon corais erebennus) - Threatened
Louisiana Pine Snake (Pituophis ruthveni) - Threatened (Federal Status Pending)
Northern Cat-eyed Snake (Leptodeira septentrionalis septentrionalis) - Threatened
Scarlet Snake (Cemophora coccinea) - Threatened (Includes both copei & lineri ssp.)
Smooth Green Snake (Liochlorophis vernalis) - Threatened
Speckled Racer (Drymobius margaritiferus margaritiferus) - Threatened
Timber Rattlesnake (Crotalus horridus ) - Threatened
Big Bend Blackhead Snake (Tantilla cucullata) - Threatened
