An endangered Western ribbon snake has put a Wisconsin highway project on hold, as state law now requires wildlife specialists to draft a capture-and-relocation plan before any bulldozers enter the site. The Cool Down reports that the measure is a direct result of the snake’s protected status under state endangered species rules.
I compared the report with Wisconsin’s endangered species listing, and the Western ribbon snake has been on the state register for years due to habitat loss across its limited range in the southern part of the state. The law forces the highway contractor to pause earthwork until a licensed specialist submits a plan that outlines how each snake will be caught and moved to safer ground.
What the law requires
Under Wisconsin statutes, any project that could disturb a listed species’ habitat must first get approval from the Department of Natural Resources. The plan has to name the capture methods, the relocation site, and the person responsible for carrying it out. Failure to comply can mean fines and a full stop-work order, which is exactly what happened here.
This is not the first time a road project has run into a protected reptile in the Midwest. Neighboring states have delayed bridge and culvert work for the similar eastern massasauga rattlesnake, using the same kind of state-mandated mitigation plan. The difference in Wisconsin is that the Western ribbon snake has a narrower habitat, often confined to wet prairies and the edges of slow streams, so the relocation site has to be chosen carefully or the snake simply returns to the construction zone.
What this means for homeowners
If you live in southern Wisconsin and spot a slender, striped snake near a drainage ditch or marshy yard, do not assume it is a common garter snake. The Western ribbon snake has a distinct white upper lip and a tail that makes up about a third of its total length. The state DNR asks residents to report sightings, since each record helps map where the snake still survives.
For anyone dealing with an unwanted snake closer to the house, the practical step is to check the wildlife removal directory to find a licensed operator who can identify the species before anything else. If you want to make your yard less attractive to snakes in the first place, the 10 easy steps to snake-proof your yard cover the basics, from clearing brush piles to sealing gaps under porches.
The full details of the highway delay were confirmed by The Cool Down.
The notice is published by The Cool Down at www.thecooldown.com.
