Eastern rattlesnake slithers closer to U.S. endangered list

[Eugene]

Source: Reuters

Eastern rattlesnake slithers closer to U.S. endangered list

By Verna Gates

BIRMINGHAM, Alabama | Fri May 11, 2012 3:16pm EDT

(Reuters) - The eastern diamondback rattlesnake, North America's largest venomous snake, may need its own antidote.

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is considering adding the reptile to the Endangered Species List to restrict its hunting, killing and sale.

"We are going to do our best to keep these beautiful animals on the planet with us," said Dan Everson, Deputy Field Supervisor for the U.S. Fish and Wildlife service in Alabama.

The service on Wednesday approved further study on the declining numbers of the snake species.

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Read more: http://www.reuters.com/article/2012/05/11/us-usa-rattlesnake-idUSBRE84A14D20120511

[auburngrad82]

1. The Endangered Species list apparently doesn't mean much any more

North Carolina is considering allowing night time hunting of red wolves.

Keep in mind that the total population of red wolves is estimated to be around 100.

How many do you need to kill before you reduce the breeding pool to the point that you force the extinction of the species?