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Nature Awareness, Requirement 9
Identify one species of plant or animal in your local area which is threatened, endangered, or locally endangered, or which became extinct in historic times. Explain what destroyed or threatens this species locally, how does or might the absence of this species affect your locality, and what, if any, steps were taken or are being taken to preserve the species. (minimum 100 words)
One of two rattlesnakes that is native to Ohio, the timber rattlesnake is currently endangered in the state of Ohio. This species has apparently always had low numbers, but the Ohio Department of Natural Resources cites fear and misunderstanding as also bringing about the decline. ODNR is not seeking to increase their range, but merely to maintain and protect the existing population. Because they feed heavily on small rodents, a decrease in these animals will lead to an increase in rodent population, though it can be speculated that were these snakes to go extinct, their already small population means that the number of rodents is unlikely to be seriously affected by this.
Source: http://www.dnr.state.oh.us/wildlife/resources/wildnotes/pub375.htm
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