We need volunteers Sat Aug 15 at the National Reptile Breeders Expo. Volunteers will meet in the Ocean Center lobby 9:30am. They will receive free admission to the Expo. Volunteers must represent the reptile community professionally and maturely. To help, email info@usarkfl.net
From USARK: "The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) has proposed to list the southern hognose snake (Heterodon simus), as a threatened species under the Endangered Species Act (ESA). FWS has found that the southern hognose faces serious threats from habitat loss and degradation as a result of land conversion and fragmentation causing loss of connectivity between populations, road mortality, invasive species (red ants, feral hogs, and cogongrass), and climate change." LINK IN BIO
UPDATE 6/5/26: This update will be posted in the Federal Register on June 8. FWS is reopening the comment period for 30 days on the proposed rule to list the southern hognose snake (Heterodon simus) as a threatened species under the Endangered Species Act. Comments previously submitted need not be resubmitted and will be fully considered in preparation of the final rule. If you work with this species, please email us at info@usark.org.
Public hearing: On June 25, 2026, FWS will hold a public hearing on the proposed rule from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. Eastern Time. The public hearing will allow an opportunity to present verbal testimony.
For more information, contact Christy Johnson-Hughes, Field Supervisor, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, South Carolina Ecological Services Field Office; 843–727–4707; christy_johnsonhughes@fws.gov
While Southern hognose snakes are currently bred in small numbers by private breeders, zoos are not known to breed them. Conservation strategies should include responsible breeding programs, along with habitat preservation.
The introduction of Caiman to Florida can be traced back to the late 1960s and 1970s. In 1967, the American alligator received federal protection. With domestic alligator leather previously driving the industry, leather producers started importing the Spectacled Caiman (Caiman crocodilus) from South America into Florida. Established populations of C. crocodilus were not reported in Florida until the late 1970s.
Molecular phylogenetic analysis has suggested the taxonomic status of Florida Caimans as C. c. fuscus originating from individuals collected from the Magdalena River and nearby coastal Colombia.
Catch rates of Caiman in Florida have been on a steady decline since 2020. In recent years, the Croc Docs and Homestead Air Force Base staff have reported that they believed they were close to eradicating Caiman in South Florida.
Florida’s native American Alligator populations have shown no evidence of species level population declines, despite tremendous environmental pressures and direct killing efforts. American Crocodile populations are on the increase in Florida. The warming climate and decrease in subsidized egg predators like raccoons (which are being eaten by nonnative pythons) are contributing factors.
No evidence supports claims by recent news articles that Caimans are “hampering” efforts to restore the Everglades. There isn’t even enough evidence of negative impacts by Caiman to support calling it an “Invasive Species.”
The Everglades faces far greater challenges than its small and apparently declining population of Caiman. Pollution, development, changing climate, water quality and availability pose the most serious threats to the Everglades ecosystem. Any folks trying to convince you otherwise most likely want to distract you from their own environmentally-destructive activities, or they need funding for their own projects.
Smithsonian Magazine reports: "Earth was a terrifying place during the Cretaceous period, some 66 million to 145 million years ago. During its tail end, Tyrannosaurus rex prowled the land. And a little before that, another kind of T. rex stalked the ancient ocean, according to a new fossil analysis.
In a study published May 21 in the Bulletin of the American Museum of Natural History, researchers reveal a newly discovered species of mosasaur—an ancient aquatic lizard—that they’ve dubbed Tylosaurus rex for its giant size. The name means “king of the knob lizards,” much like the land T. rex’s translation, “king of the tyrant lizards,” and, of course, it comes with the same recognizable abbreviation.
“If any animal deserves it, it’s this animal,” study co-author Amelia Zietlow, a paleontologist at the History Museum at the Castle in Wisconsin, tells National Geographic’s Asher Elbein. “Half of its characteristics are around it having a bigger jaw and bite.”
Daniel Parker, Director of Media for USARK FL, will speak at the Calusa Herpetological Society meeting on Thursday, June 4th at 7pm at the Calusa Nature Center in Ft. Myers, FL.
The subject of his talk will be Backyard Reptiles and Amphibians of SW FL: ID and Safety. He will also give a short USARK FL update.
In the current time, our turtles are faced with greater threats than ever before. Habitat destruction, road mortality, drowning in traps, and overcollection all take their toll, while government bureaucrats, politicians, and extreme animal rights activists seek to limit or end captive breeding of all or many species.
You can do your part to help save turtles by supporting the conservation of wild turtles and their habitats while also joining organizations that promote responsible captive breeding like USARK - United States Association of Reptile Keepers, USARK FL, United States Aquarium Association, and TURTLE and TORTOISE PRESERVATION GROUP.
The Striped newt (Notophthalmus perstriatus) is state listed as a Threatened Species in Florida. It may not be kept or bred in captivity without a permit. However, its habitat receives no special protection.
Striped newts have specific habitat requirements. They may occur fairly dry sandhill or scrub habitats and breed in ephemeral (temporary) wetlands that lack predatory fish. Striped newts have a spotty distribution in parts of north and central Florida. The species is close to extirpation in Georgia.
The biggest threats to Striped newts in the wild are destruction and mismanagement of habitat. New populations have been discovered in surprising locales in recent years. However, some populations are likely being lost before even being discovered.
USARK FL will be releasing a 3 part documentary on the MyFWC Florida Fish and Wildlife Holy Thursday Massacre this week on Youtube. Watch the trailer here: https://youtu.be/8uTChlo7YW0?si=C3nvl...
On April 6, 2023, a legal pet Boa owned by Bill McAdam, was misidentified as a Prohibited species and killed with a penetrating bolt gun. A subsequent necropsy revealed the snake was gravid and carrying 32 offspring.
Over 30 pythons (both Reticulated and Burmese pythons) belonging to Chris Coffee were also killed. These had been legally possessed prior to FWC’s 2021 rule changes that reclassified certain species as “Prohibited.” Coffee had attempted to comply with the new regulations.
We are not publicizing this issue simply to open old wounds or incite hatred against FWC. We are doing this as a reminder that when onerous policies are passed, resulting in overreaching enforcement actions, it affects real people and real living things. In this case, the mental and emotional trauma inflicted upon Bill McAdam, Chris Coffee, and their families is incalculable. This process has deprived Coffee of his life savings, his valuable collection of animals, and has even resulted in his family becoming homeless.
Policies are implemented by people, in this case the people who work at FWC. Even the most honest and competent people make mistakes. We know that there are good people at FWC with good intentions. However, when policies are written in such a way that they do not anticipate the worst possible outcomes, especially when the input of the people that they affect is not considered in the process, the results can be disastrous.
In this case, FWC's rules have not succeeded in reducing wild populations of invasive species. In fact, it is likely that the populations of pythons, iguanas, and tegus have only increased since the rules were passed. However, these rules have upended the lives of people and caused untold heartache. This has resulted in negative media attention and political backlash for FWC. If it is genuinely interested in creating policies that work, FWC must consider reptile keepers as partners, not as adversaries.
As for Chris Coffee and Bill McAdam, FWC should be absolutely eager to take care of them, whatever that takes.
USARK Florida
We need volunteers Sat Aug 15 at the National Reptile Breeders Expo. Volunteers will meet in the Ocean Center lobby 9:30am. They will receive free admission to the Expo. Volunteers must represent the reptile community professionally and maturely. To help, email info@usarkfl.net
1 week ago | [YT] | 14
View 0 replies
USARK Florida
From USARK:
"The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) has proposed to list the southern hognose snake (Heterodon simus), as a threatened species under the Endangered Species Act (ESA). FWS has found that the southern hognose faces serious threats from habitat loss and degradation as a result of land conversion and fragmentation causing loss of connectivity between populations, road mortality, invasive species (red ants, feral hogs, and cogongrass), and climate change."
LINK IN BIO
UPDATE 6/5/26: This update will be posted in the Federal Register on June 8. FWS is reopening the comment period for 30 days on the proposed rule to list the southern hognose snake (Heterodon simus) as a threatened species under the Endangered Species Act. Comments previously submitted need not be resubmitted and will be fully considered in preparation of the final rule. If you work with this species, please email us at info@usark.org.
Public hearing: On June 25, 2026, FWS will hold a public hearing on the proposed rule from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. Eastern Time. The public hearing will allow an opportunity to present verbal testimony.
Register for the hearing at empsi.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_NGVA5rxMRtG1jvFU….
Comment and get full details at www.federalregister.gov/public-inspection/2025-166….
We have the document posted at usark.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/25-western-ho….
For more information, contact Christy Johnson-Hughes, Field Supervisor, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, South Carolina Ecological Services Field Office; 843–727–4707; christy_johnsonhughes@fws.gov
While Southern hognose snakes are currently bred in small numbers by private breeders, zoos are not known to breed them. Conservation strategies should include responsible breeding programs, along with habitat preservation.
Photo by Glenn Bartolotti
#southernhognose #hognose #hognosesnake #southernhognosesnake #heterodon
1 month ago | [YT] | 17
View 5 replies
USARK Florida
The introduction of Caiman to Florida can be traced back to the late 1960s and 1970s. In 1967, the American alligator received federal protection. With domestic alligator leather previously driving the industry, leather producers started importing the Spectacled Caiman (Caiman crocodilus) from South America into Florida. Established populations of C. crocodilus were not reported in Florida until the late 1970s.
Molecular phylogenetic analysis has suggested the taxonomic status of Florida Caimans as C. c. fuscus originating from individuals collected from the Magdalena River and nearby coastal Colombia.
Catch rates of Caiman in Florida have been on a steady decline since 2020. In recent years, the Croc Docs and Homestead Air Force Base staff have reported that they believed they were close to eradicating Caiman in South Florida.
Florida’s native American Alligator populations have shown no evidence of species level population declines, despite tremendous environmental pressures and direct killing efforts. American Crocodile populations are on the increase in Florida. The warming climate and decrease in subsidized egg predators like raccoons (which are being eaten by nonnative pythons) are contributing factors.
No evidence supports claims by recent news articles that Caimans are “hampering” efforts to restore the Everglades. There isn’t even enough evidence of negative impacts by Caiman to support calling it an “Invasive Species.”
The Everglades faces far greater challenges than its small and apparently declining population of Caiman. Pollution, development, changing climate, water quality and availability pose the most serious threats to the Everglades ecosystem. Any folks trying to convince you otherwise most likely want to distract you from their own environmentally-destructive activities, or they need funding for their own projects.
1 month ago (edited) | [YT] | 19
View 1 reply
USARK Florida
Smithsonian Magazine reports:
"Earth was a terrifying place during the Cretaceous period, some 66 million to 145 million years ago. During its tail end, Tyrannosaurus rex prowled the land. And a little before that, another kind of T. rex stalked the ancient ocean, according to a new fossil analysis.
In a study published May 21 in the Bulletin of the American Museum of Natural History, researchers reveal a newly discovered species of mosasaur—an ancient aquatic lizard—that they’ve dubbed Tylosaurus rex for its giant size. The name means “king of the knob lizards,” much like the land T. rex’s translation, “king of the tyrant lizards,” and, of course, it comes with the same recognizable abbreviation.
“If any animal deserves it, it’s this animal,” study co-author Amelia Zietlow, a paleontologist at the History Museum at the Castle in Wisconsin, tells National Geographic’s Asher Elbein. “Half of its characteristics are around it having a bigger jaw and bite.”
www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/paleontologists-…
1 month ago | [YT] | 6
View 0 replies
USARK Florida
Daniel Parker, Director of Media for USARK FL, will speak at the Calusa Herpetological Society meeting on Thursday, June 4th at 7pm at the Calusa Nature Center in Ft. Myers, FL.
The subject of his talk will be Backyard Reptiles and Amphibians of SW FL: ID and Safety. He will also give a short USARK FL update.
www.calusaherp.org/Speakers/month_meeting.htm
#reptiles #herplife #herpetology #florida
www.calusaherp.org/Speakers/month_meeting.htm
1 month ago | [YT] | 10
View 0 replies
USARK Florida
Be sure to follow USARKFL on Palmstreet!
We will be holding a Palmstreet sale to support your freedoms to keep reptiles this Saturday, May 30, 2026 at 7pm EST!
We will be coming to you live from Repticon Orlando, but you can only bid online at the Palmstreet app.
✨ Don’t miss out!
We will auction off a CSerpents Incubator geckos, lizards, snakes, tortoises, invertebrates, products, and merch live:
palmstreet.app/l/cLvbXlib
Please contact media@usarkfl.net to donate items.
Thanks so much for your support!
1 month ago | [YT] | 11
View 0 replies
USARK Florida
We will be holding a Palmstreet sale to support your freedoms to keep reptiles this Saturday, May 30, 2026 at 7pm EST!
You can only bid online at the Palmstreet app.
palmstreet.app/l/cLvbXlib
Please contact media@usarkfl.net to donate items.
Thanks so much for your support!
1 month ago | [YT] | 8
View 0 replies
USARK Florida
On this World Turtle Day, we celebrate Florida's beautiful and fascinating native turtles.
Clockwise from upper right: Florida softshell turtle (Apalone ferox), Florida box turtle (Terrapene bauri), Ornate diamondback terrapin (Malaclemys terrapin macrospilota), Suwannee alligator snapping turtle (Macrochelys suwanniensis), Spotted turtle (Clemmys guttata), and Peninsula cooter (Pseudemys peninsularis).
In the current time, our turtles are faced with greater threats than ever before. Habitat destruction, road mortality, drowning in traps, and overcollection all take their toll, while government bureaucrats, politicians, and extreme animal rights activists seek to limit or end captive breeding of all or many species.
You can do your part to help save turtles by supporting the conservation of wild turtles and their habitats while also joining organizations that promote responsible captive breeding like USARK - United States Association of Reptile Keepers, USARK FL, United States Aquarium Association, and TURTLE and TORTOISE PRESERVATION GROUP.
All photos by Daniel Parker
#worldturtleday #turtles #herplife #oneteamonefight #savetheturtles
2 months ago | [YT] | 22
View 0 replies
USARK Florida
The Striped newt (Notophthalmus perstriatus) is state listed as a Threatened Species in Florida. It may not be kept or bred in captivity without a permit. However, its habitat receives no special protection.
Striped newts have specific habitat requirements. They may occur fairly dry sandhill or scrub habitats and breed in ephemeral (temporary) wetlands that lack predatory fish. Striped newts have a spotty distribution in parts of north and central Florida. The species is close to extirpation in Georgia.
The biggest threats to Striped newts in the wild are destruction and mismanagement of habitat. New populations have been discovered in surprising locales in recent years. However, some populations are likely being lost before even being discovered.
Photo by Daniel Parker
#amphibian #conservation #herplife #nature #newt
2 months ago | [YT] | 13
View 0 replies
USARK Florida
USARK FL will be releasing a 3 part documentary on the MyFWC Florida Fish and Wildlife Holy Thursday Massacre this week on Youtube. Watch the trailer here: https://youtu.be/8uTChlo7YW0?si=C3nvl...
On April 6, 2023, a legal pet Boa owned by Bill McAdam, was misidentified as a Prohibited species and killed with a penetrating bolt gun. A subsequent necropsy revealed the snake was gravid and carrying 32 offspring.
Over 30 pythons (both Reticulated and Burmese pythons) belonging to Chris Coffee were also killed. These had been legally possessed prior to FWC’s 2021 rule changes that reclassified certain species as “Prohibited.” Coffee had attempted to comply with the new regulations.
We are not publicizing this issue simply to open old wounds or incite hatred against FWC. We are doing this as a reminder that when onerous policies are passed, resulting in overreaching enforcement actions, it affects real people and real living things. In this case, the mental and emotional trauma inflicted upon Bill McAdam, Chris Coffee, and their families is incalculable. This process has deprived Coffee of his life savings, his valuable collection of animals, and has even resulted in his family becoming homeless.
Policies are implemented by people, in this case the people who work at FWC. Even the most honest and competent people make mistakes. We know that there are good people at FWC with good intentions. However, when policies are written in such a way that they do not anticipate the worst possible outcomes, especially when the input of the people that they affect is not considered in the process, the results can be disastrous.
In this case, FWC's rules have not succeeded in reducing wild populations of invasive species. In fact, it is likely that the populations of pythons, iguanas, and tegus have only increased since the rules were passed. However, these rules have upended the lives of people and caused untold heartache. This has resulted in negative media attention and political backlash for FWC. If it is genuinely interested in creating policies that work, FWC must consider reptile keepers as partners, not as adversaries.
As for Chris Coffee and Bill McAdam, FWC should be absolutely eager to take care of them, whatever that takes.
3 months ago | [YT] | 75
View 5 replies
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