Reptiles
Concho Water Snake
Nerodia paucimaculata · also called Concho water snakes
A slender, blotched snake hunts small fish along a rocky riffle on the Concho River, found nowhere else in the wild, its recovery from federal protection to full delisting standing as one of the quieter conservation success stories in American herpetology.
Overview
The Concho water snake, Nerodia paucimaculata, is a river-dwelling snake found naturally only within the Concho and Colorado River systems of west-central Texas. Its extraordinarily narrow natural range, genuine recovery from federal Threatened status, and strong preference for flowing, rocky river habitat make it one of the more geographically distinctive and conservation-notable water snakes in North America.
A rare recovery worth noting
While many range-restricted species continue sliding toward greater risk, the Concho water snake’s population recovered enough, following changes to how nearby reservoirs manage water flow, to earn a full federal delisting in 2011.
Status
Least Concern — delisted from federal Threatened status in 2011 following documented population recovery within its narrow west-central Texas range.
Concho Water Snake: common questions
Why is the Concho water snake considered a conservation success story?
The species was federally listed as Threatened before being delisted in 2011 after documented population recovery tied to changes in reservoir water management along the Concho and Colorado River systems, a genuine success achieved through targeted management rather than the more common story of continued decline.
Where does the Concho water snake live?
This species exists naturally only within the Concho and Colorado River systems of west-central Texas, making it one of the most geographically restricted snake species in the United States, found nowhere else in the wild.
What almost drove the Concho water snake to serious decline?
Dam construction and reservoir management altering natural river flow patterns historically posed the primary threat to the Concho water snake, since these changes could eliminate the flowing, rocky riffle habitat the species depends on for hunting small fish.
Is the Concho water snake venomous?
No, like other North American water snakes, the Concho water snake is non-venomous, though it may flatten its body, release a foul-smelling musk, or bite defensively if handled, behaviours that can cause it to be mistaken for a more dangerous species.