Listed Species in Grady County
(updated May 2004)

SpeciesFederal StatusState StatusHabitatThreats
Bird 
Red-cockaded woodpecker

Picoides borealis
EENest in mature pine with low understory vegetation (<1.5m); forage in pine and pine hardwood stands > 30 years of age, preferably > 10" dbhReduction of older age pine stands and to encroachment of hardwood midstory in older age pine stands due to fire suppression
Wood stork 

Mycteria americana
EEPrimarily feed in fresh and brackish wetlands and nest in cypress or other wooded swampsDecline due primarily to loss of suitable feeding habitat, particularly in south Florida. Other factors include loss of nesting habitat, prolonged drought/flooding, raccoon predation on nests, and human disturbance of rookeries.
Reptile 
Alligator snapping turtle

Macroclemys temminckii
No Federal StatusTRivers, lakes, and large ponds near stream swamps.Destruction and modification of habitat and overharvesting.
Gopher tortoise

Gopherus polyphemus

No Federal StatusTWell-drained, sandy soils in forest and grassy areas; associated with pine overstory, open understory with grass and forb groundcover, and sunny areas for nesting 
Amphibian 
Georgia blind salamander

Haideotriton wallacei
No Federal StatusTSubterranean waters of upland limestone karst system; restricted to Dougherty Plain region of Georgia  
Invertebrate 
Ochlockonee moccasinshell

Medionidus simpsonianus
EEStable sandy and gravelly substrates in medium-
sized streams to large rivers, often in areas swept free of silt by the current.
Habitat modification, sedimentation, and water quality degradation
Oval pigtoe mussel

Pleurobema pyriforme

EERiver tributaries and main channels in slow to moderate currents over silty sand, muddy sand, sand, and gravel substrates Habitat modification, sedimentation, and water quality degradation
Purple bankclimber mussel

Elliptoideus sloatianus

TTMain channels of ACF basin rivers in moderate currents over sand, sand mixed with mud, or gravel substratesHabitat modification, sedimentation, and water quality degradation
Shiny-rayed pocketbook mussel

Lampsilis subangulata

EEMedium creeks to the mainstems of rivers with slow to moderate currents over sandy substrates and associated with rock or clay Habitat modification, sedimentation, and water quality degradation
Plant 
Lax Water-milfoil

Myriophyllum laxum
No Federal StatusTSinkholes and other shallow freshwater pools; also sandy clear streams draining spring-fed swamps