The Northern Mexican Garter Snake (Thamnophis eques megalops) and the Narrow-headed Garter Snake (Thamnophis rufipunctatus) will receive federal protection under the U.S. Endangered Species Act. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service assigned the two species Threatened status in a final rule published today (PDF). This will take effect on August 7. See news coverage from the Arizona Daily Star. See the USFWS species profiles here: Northern Mexican Garter Snake, Narrow-headed Garter Snake.

The FWS issued a proposal to do this last year, after nearly a decade of lawsuits and reviews; the Service denied the Mexican garter protection in 2006. See this post for links explaining the story behind these species’ listing.