Alternative Text Description for Key Ring-Necked Snake (Endangered) Distribution Map

TABLE OF CONTENTS

MAP OVERVIEW

This map displays the geographic distribution of the Key Ring-Necked Snake, an endangered species, across southern Florida and the Florida Keys. The map shows polygonal boundary areas representing known habitat ranges as designated by the United States Fish and Wildlife Service. The distribution is depicted using a pink crosshatch pattern that highlights specific coastal and island areas where this endangered species occurs.

GEOGRAPHIC CONTEXT

The map covers southern Florida, focusing primarily on the Florida Keys archipelago extending from the mainland southwest into the Atlantic Ocean. Several labeled locations are visible, including Great White Heron National Wildlife Refuge in the western portion, Bay Point along the central keys, and Cudjoe Key, Ramrod Key, and Big Pine Key in the central to eastern portions of the mapped area. The mapped region shows the characteristic island chain formation of the Florida Keys, with numerous small islands and keys surrounded by water. The distribution extends from the southwestern mainland coast eastward along the island chain.

KEY INSIGHTS

The Key Ring-Necked Snake's habitat is concentrated in the Florida Keys region, with notable patterns of distribution. The largest continuous habitat area appears in the Big Pine Key region in the central-eastern portion of the mapped area. Significant habitat patches also occur along the southwestern coastal mainland near Great White Heron National Wildlife Refuge and throughout the lower and middle Keys near Bay Point. The distribution is fragmented across multiple islands and keys rather than forming one continuous area, reflecting the archipelago geography. The species' range is notably restricted to specific islands and coastal areas, indicating limited and specialized habitat requirements typical of an endangered species.

VISUAL ELEMENTS

Key Ring-Necked Snake (Endangered) Habitat Distribution

This layer represents the official species boundary polygons for the Key Ring-Necked Snake as designated by the United States Fish and Wildlife Service.

Key Ring-Necked Snake Habitat Areas (pink crosshatch pattern)

Appearance:

Pink or light red polygons filled with a diagonal crosshatch pattern overlay the map where habitat areas exist.

Distribution:

Habitat areas are distributed across multiple locations in the Florida Keys and southwestern coastal Florida. The polygons appear on various islands throughout the Keys chain and along portions of the mainland coast.

Notable locations:

The most extensive habitat polygon is located around Big Pine Key in the eastern portion of the mapped area. Substantial habitat areas also exist near Bay Point in the central keys and around Great White Heron National Wildlife Refuge in the western mainland coastal region. Additional smaller habitat patches are scattered across Cudjoe Key, Ramrod Key, and numerous other islands throughout the Keys.

Spatial patterns:

The habitat distribution follows an island-hopping pattern along the Florida Keys archipelago, with habitat patches occurring on specific islands rather than uniformly across all landmasses. The fragmented pattern suggests the species occupies suitable habitat pockets throughout the region rather than continuous territory. Larger consolidated habitat areas occur on bigger islands, while smaller patches correspond to smaller keys and coastal zones.

SYMBOL GUIDE

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

This map represents a single thematic layer extracted from a larger Florida species dataset, focusing specifically on the Key Ring-Necked Snake's endangered status distribution. The polygonal boundaries represent official designations rather than individual observation points, providing a broad understanding of species range rather than precise population locations. The map scale and extent emphasize the Florida Keys region where this species is primarily found. Base map features including water bodies and landmasses provide geographic context for understanding the island and coastal habitat distribution pattern.

DATA CONTEXT

Data Source:

United States Fish and Wildlife Service species boundary data for the State of Florida, representing official designations of species distribution areas.

Definition Query:

This map displays a filtered subset of the CR_USFWS_POLY_JUN26 dataset where the common name field (COMNAME) equals 'KEY RING-NECKED SNAKE', showing only this specific endangered species from the larger Florida species database.

Scale Information:

The map scale encompasses the Florida Keys archipelago and southwestern coastal Florida, providing a regional view appropriate for understanding species-level distribution patterns across multiple islands and coastal zones.

Coordinate System:

NAD_1983_HARN_Florida_GDL_Albers (WKID 3087)

Limitations:

The map shows designated habitat boundary polygons rather than precise population counts or individual sighting locations. The boundaries represent recognized species range areas and may not capture all microhabitat details or population dynamics within the designated zones. Areas outside the pink crosshatch polygons do not necessarily indicate absolute species absence, but rather fall outside officially designated range boundaries.

Map Coverage:

The map extent covers the Florida Keys from the southwestern mainland coast eastward through the island chain, with particular focus on the lower and middle Keys region where Key Ring-Necked Snake habitat is designated.

The alternative text description of this map was AI-generated and may contain inaccuracies.