ALERT: Lincoln County, NCUPDATE 12/15/25: ALERT! The County Commissioners voted to ban ALL lizards, ALL amphibians, hedgehogs, and more. They chose to completely dismiss legitimate science by using false taxonomic classifications. There has not been enough opposition. USARK requested a hearing, but the Commissioners refused to allow a public hearing on this issue, even though this was a new draft with substantive changes. Five people stayed and spoke in opposition at the end of the meeting after the vote, including USARK’s Phil Goss, with no one testifying in support. While the simple fact that the proposal uses fictitious and incorrect taxonomy, has redundancies, closes down businesses, bans all lizards, and more were plainly presented to the Commissioners, they chose to move forward. One commissioner said, “I don’t think this goes far enough.” The ordinance does list humans as an exempt species that can be owned, but you cannot own a leopard gecko. The “grandfather” clause requires an annual license that is $250 for the first animal and $100 for each additional animal. Owning 10 grandfathered “exotic animals” will be $1,150 annually in county permit fees. This is scheduled for a second vote on January 5, 2026.
We need animal and academic professionals to contact the Commissioners immediately to point out the unscientific nature of the ordinance (including use of “races of animals,” family Marsupialia that does not exist, and more), and responsible animal owners need to address the overreaching bans on very common pets, such as geckos, bearded dragons, tree frogs, axolotls, and more. All lizards and amphibians are banned as none are listed in the “Exempted Animals” list, which therefore bans them by default.
Meeting: January 5, 2026, at 6:30 PM in the Lincoln County Admin Building, 353 N. Generals Blvd., Lincolnton, NC 28092
Read more and contact the County at https://usark.org/25nc/.
ALERT: Orangeburg, SC
UPDATE 12/13/25: This is on the December 16 agenda. We are uncertain what, if any, changes will be made and encourage local residents to continue their opposition. MEETING: December 16 at 6:00 PM. City Council Chambers 933 Middleton Street, Orangeburg, SC 29115
UPDATE 12/2/25: Thanks to some Council members voicing logic and reason, the ordinance was tabled (postponed) until some changes can be made. Specifically, concerned Council members want revisions to the “exotic creature” section and the addition of a grandfather provision. The City Administrator and a Council member noted the opposition and education from USARK. Thank you to everyone who spoke up!
More details at https://usark.org/25sc2/.
Wisconsin Herp Rule Review
UPDATE 12/9/25: A public hearing has been scheduled for January 12 at 5:00 PM CST. You can read the draft rule and the highlighted changes in our alert. The written comment deadline is January 13, 2026
Posted 7/16/25: The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources is initiating a comprehensive review of all herp regulations in an “effort to clarify and update existing regulations to better inform the public, law enforcement, and department staff regarding allowable activities, improve enforceability, and implement current management goals.” There may be additional rule changes reasonably related to what was mentioned prior.
Read more at https://usark.org/25wi/.
Endangered Species Act Amendments
Amendments to the Endangered Species Act (ESA) have been proposed by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) through rulemaking.There are four proposed changes: Threatened species protections (50 CFR part 17; section 4(d)): Eliminate the “blanket rule” option and require species-specific 4(d) rules tailored to each threatened species. This approach reflects the best interpretation of the statute under Loper Bright and ensures that protections are necessary and appropriate to conserve each species without imposing unnecessary restrictions on others. It also aligns service policy with the National Marine Fisheries Service’s (NOAA) long-standing species-specific approach...Read more at https://usark.org/25esa4/.
ALERT: Colorado Herp Rule Review
ALERT UPDATE: Borneo Earless Monitor ESA Listing
Posted August 13: On August 14, 2025, FWS will open a comment period on the proposed rule to list the Borneo earless monitor ( Lanthanotus borneensis) as a threatened species under the Endangered Species Act. Previous comments need not be resubmitted and will be fully considered in preparation of the final rule.
Full details at https://usark.org/25esa2/.
ALERT UPDATE: Blue Tree Monitor ESA Listing Get full details at https://usark.org/25esa1/. The emergency rule ended on August 25, 2025. Breeders can currently ship blue tree monitors. We will notify our members of changes or when the final rule is posted by FWS.
ALERT: Southern Hognose ESA Listing Posted 8/28/25: 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.
Full details at https://usark.org/25esa3/.
Find A Vet Need a good herp veterinarian? The Association of Reptilian and Amphibian Veterinarians (ARAV) can help. ARAV provides a free Find-A-Vet service at http://arav.site-ym.com/search/custom.asp?id=3661.
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