Year of the Snake: Scaling Up Protections for Declining Snake Populations

In the traditional Chinese calendar, this year corresponds with the snake, which symbolizes good fortune, intelligence, and procreation. Beyond the symbolism, all of these things are needed to safeguard the future of these incredible animals in the Year of the Snake.

When it comes to their good fortune, increasing awareness and changing perceptions would go a long way toward improving their luck.

“Snakes are underdogs because of the way they’re widely viewed,” explained Executive Director JJ Apodaca. “Despite their importance to ecosystems, snakes remain overlooked and underfunded in conservation efforts.”

They play vital roles in their landscapes, knitting together food webs and cycling nutrients. Yet, biases and attitudes often overshadow their significance. 

“Snakes need more voices for protection, and I’m happy to be part of a team that works to conserve these misunderstood species,” said Southern Appalachians Program Coordinator Emilly Nolan.

From Symbolism to Action

Snakes also symbolize intelligence and procreation in Chinese culture. Together with you and the rest of our partners, we’re turning these symbolic themes into reality by using ingenuity to help ensure their reproductive success and continued survival.

Many snake species face habitat destruction, climate change, and invasive species—all of which contribute to their decline. We’re working to reverse these trends through targeted conservation actions.

The northern pinesnake is a perfect example of a species that’s losing ground. These snakes, with their distinctive splotchy markings, are native to several Eastern US states but are increasingly rare. Much about them is a mystery, as they spend most of their lives underground.

In South Carolina’s Francis Marion PARCA (Priority Amphibian and Reptile Conservation Area), we’re using tools such as drift fences and radiotelemetry (tracking via radio signal) to study this elusive species. These efforts have revealed important insights into their reproductive habits, including observations of mating events and hatchling emergence—invaluable data that will inform conservation strategies moving forward.

“We’re analyzing these data to better understand home ranges and habitat use,” said Ben Morrison, Coastal Plains Program Coordinator. “This work is critical for identifying and protecting the key habitats these snakes rely on.”

From Action to Protection

The southern hognose snake is another species in decline. These small, secretive snakes are increasingly scarce and are being considered for protection under the Endangered Species Act. In the Francis Marion PARCA, we’re gathering essential data on their movements and habitat needs, which will improve the quality of the data used for the listing decision and help us determine how best to protect them.

“These snakes are challenging to study because of their underground habits,” said Ben. “But the information we’re gathering is critical for implementing conservation actions and securing their future.”

In the arid Southwest, our team is working to restore habitats for snake species like the Threatened narrow-headed gartersnake. Found in the streams of New Mexico and Arizona, these aquatic snakes are integral to their ecosystems.

We’ve supported the narrow-headed gartersnake captive breeding and monitoring programs of the Phoenix Zoo and the University of Arizona. Recent and ongoing efforts include collecting snakes for breeding programs and expanding monitoring to new sites. 

And this work is critical. “Snakes are extremely beneficial to our ecosystems and are necessary to help maintain balance,” Southwestern Program Coordinator Becca Cozad explained. “Plus, I think that they are just really neat. If more folks understood why they’re so important to conserve in our natural world, or even just found one species that they find fascinating, it could help shift perceptions.”

The Year of the Snake is a poignant reminder of what’s at stake for these remarkable species. With threats like habitat loss accelerating declines, there’s no time to waste. 

As JJ put it, “Snakes are vital to the health of the planet. Conserving them benefits all species, including humans. This year and always, let’s celebrate and protect these essential animals.”

Get Your Limited Edition Year of the Snake Apparel

Celebrate the Year of the Snake with us by wearing your support proudly—purchase a limited-edition Year of the Snake t-shirt or hoodie today, and join the movement to safeguard the future of snakes, other reptiles, and amphibians. Together, we can ensure their survival and turn symbolism into lasting impact.