Alameda Whipsnake (Masticophis lateralis euryxanthus ) 5-Year Review: Summary and Evaluation Photograph by Sheila Larson U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Sacramento Fish and Wildlife Office Sacramento, California September 2011 5-YEAR REVIEW Alameda whipsnake (Masticophis lateralis euryxanthus ) I. GENERAL INFORMATION Purpose of 5-Year Reviews: The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service) is required by section 4(c)(2) of the Endangered Species Act (Act) to conduct a status review of each listed species at least once every 5 years. The purpose of a 5-year review is to evaluate whether or not the species’ status has changed since it was listed (or since the most recent 5-year review). Based on the 5-year review, we recommend whether the species should be removed from the list of endangered and threatened species, be changed in status from endangered to threatened, be changed in status from threatened to endangered, or that the status remain unchanged. Our original listing of a species as endangered or threatened is based on the existence of threats attributable to one or more of the five threat factors described in section 4(a)(1) of the Act, and we must consider these same five factors in any subsequent consideration of reclassification or delisting of a species. In the 5-year review, we consider the best available scientific and commercial data on the species, and focus on new information available since the species was listed or last reviewed. If we recommend a change in listing status based on the results of the 5-year review, we must propose to do so through a separate rule-making process defined in the Act that includes public review and comment. Species Overview: The Alameda whipsnake is a slender, fast-moving, semi-arboreal, diurnal snake with a broad head, large eyes, and slender neck; characteristics typical of snake species that predate on lizards. This species is commonly associated with small to large patches of chaparral or coastal scrub vegetation, interspersed with other native vegetation types and rock lands throughout Contra Costa County, most of Alameda County, and portions of northern Santa Clara and western San Joaquin counties. Chaparral and coastal scrub vegetation serve as the center of home ranges, provide for concealment from predators, and foraging opportunities. However, verified observations have been made up to 6.4 kilometers (4 miles) from coastal scrub and chaparral habitat. Methodology Used to Complete This Review: This review was prepared by the Sacramento Fish and Wildlife Office (SFWO), following the Region 8 guidance issued in March 2008. We used information from the Draft Recovery Plan for Chaparral and Scrub Community Species East of San Francisco Bay (Service 2002), survey information from experts who have been monitoring various localities of this species, and the California Natural Diversity Database (CNDDB) maintained by the California Department of Fish and Game (CDFG). Personal communications with experts, published literature, biological assessments, and government agency reports were the primary sources of information used to update the species’ status and threats. This 5-year review contains updated information on the species’ biology and threats, and an assessment of that information compared to that known at 2 the time of listing or since the last 5-year review. We focus on current threats to the species that are attributable to the Act’s five listing factors. The review synthesizes all this information to evaluate the listing status of the species and provide an indication of its progress towards recovery. Finally, based on this synthesis and the threats identified in the five-factor analysis, we recommend a prioritized list of conservation actions to be completed or initiated within the next 5 years. Contact Information: Lead Regional Office: Larry Rabin, Deputy Division Chief for Listing, Recovery, and Environmental Contaminants, Pacific Southwest Region; (916) 414-6464. Lead Field Office: Josh Hull, Recovery Division Chief, Sacramento Fish and Wildlife Office; (916) 414-6600. Federal Register (FR) Notice Citation Announcing Initiation of This Review: A notice announcing the initiation of the 5-year review of this taxon and the opening of a 60-day period to receive information from the public was published in the Federal Register on March 25, 2009 (Federal Register 74:12878-12883 ). We did not receive any comments from the public specific to the Alameda whipsnake. Listing History: Original Listing FR Notice: Federal Register 62:64306-64320 Date of Final Listing Rule: December 5, 1997 Entity Listed: Masticophis lateralis euryxanthus , a reptile subspecies Classification: Threatened State Listing Masticophis lateralis euryxanthus was listed as threatened by the State of California on June 27, 1971. Associated Rulemakings: On March 8, 2000, a proposed determination of critical habitat for the Alameda whipsnake was issued, fulfilling an out-of-court settlement agreement (Service 2000 a). A final determination was subsequently issued on October 3, 2000 (Service 2000 b). On May 9, 2003, a U. S. District Court Judge vacated and remanded the October 3, 2000, final rule designating critical habitat. On October 2, 2006, critical habitat for the Alameda whipsnake was designated (Service 2006; Figure 1). 3 Review History: No 5-year reviews have previously been conducted for this species since its listing in 1997. Recovery Priority Number at Start of 5-Year Review: The recovery priority number for the Alameda whipsnake is 9C according to the Service’s 2010 Recovery Data Call for the Sacramento Fish and Wildlife Office, based on a 1-18 ranking system where 1 is the highest-ranked recovery priority and 18 is the lowest (Endangered and Threatened Species Listing and Recovery Priority Guidelines, 48 FR 43098, September 21, 1983) . This number indicates this taxon is a subspecies, faces a medium degree of threat, has a high potential for recovery, and there is, or may be, some degree of conflict between recovery efforts and economic development . Recovery Plan or Outline: Name of Plan or Outline: Draft Recovery Plan for Chaparral and Scrub Community Species East of San Francisco Bay, California Date Issued: December 2002 II. REVIEW ANALYSIS Application of the 1996 Distinct Population Segment (DPS) Policy: The Endangered Species Act defines “species” as including any subspecies of fish or wildlife or plants, and any distinct population segment (DPS) of any species of vertebrate wildlife. II.A.1. Is the species under review listed as a DPS? ____ Yes __X_ No II.A.2. Is there relevant new information for this species regarding the application of the DPS policy? ____ Yes __X_ No Information on the Species and its Status: Life History Adult Alameda whipsnakes have a bimodal seasonal activity pattern, with peaks during the spring mating season and a smaller peak during late summer and early fall (Swaim 1994). They generally retreat into winter hibernacula (the location chosen for hibernation) in November and emerge in March; however, short, above-ground activity such as basking in the immediate vicinity of the hibernaculum may occur during this time (Swaim 1994). Courtship and mating 4 occur from late March through mid-June. During this time, males have been found to move throughout their home range and females have been found to remain at or near their hibernacula until mating is complete. One female was observed copulating with more than one male during a mating season, but the extent to which females mate with multiple males (polyandry) is unknown (Swaim 1994). Suspected egg-laying sites for two females in the Berkeley Hills in Alameda County were located in patches of grassland, within 3 to 6 meters (10 to 20 feet) of coastal scrub, and were also found within areas of low density scattered scrub intermixed with grassland. Three individuals monitored for nearly an entire activity season appeared to maintain stable home ranges (Swaim 1994). Movements of these individuals were multi-directional and individuals returned to specific areas and retreat sites after long intervals of non-use. Alameda whipsnakes have been found to have one or more core area (areas of concentrated use) within their home range, with large areas of the home range receiving little use. Sperm is stored by the male over winter in the epididymides and vas deferens (Goldberg 1975). Copulation commences soon after emergence from winter hibernacula (Swaim 1994). Females begin yolk deposition in mid-April (Goldberg 1975), and intervals of 47, 50, and 55 days have been recorded between dates of first known mating and first egg laid (Hammerson 1978). Average clutch size was found to be 7.21 (range 6 to 11, n = 19), with a significant correlation between body size and clutch size (Goldberg 1975). Incubation lasts about 3 months and young appear in late summer and fall. Hatchlings have been observed or captured above ground from August through November (Hammerson 1978, Swaim 1994). Prey items have been detected in the stomachs of captured hatchlings during this period, indicating feeding may occur prior to winter hibernation (Swaim 1994). California whipsnakes ( Masticophis lateralis ) reach maturity in 2 to 3 years, with adults growing to nearly 1.5 meters (5 feet). Based on a study of captive California whipsnakes, they may live for 8 years (Jennings 1994). Feeding and Prey The Alameda whipsnake is a slender, fast-moving, diurnal snake with a broad head, large eyes, and slender neck. When hunting, it commonly moves with its head held high and occasionally moves it from side to side. Prey is seized with great speed, pinioned under loops of the body, and engulfed without constriction. The Alameda whipsnake is semi-arboreal and can escape into or hunt within shrubs or trees. They also seek shelter in rock piles or outcrops in small mammal burrows (Stebbins 1985, Swaim 1994) and in cracks that form in the ground as it dries (Swaim 1994).