Reptile Super Show!!!
A new year means a Reptile Super Show! This is always the first big show of the year and happens this weekend in Pomona, CA. There is so much to see at this huge event. If you are a USARK member, be sure to see the next section of this newsletter.
Big auction news! The USARK benefit auction is right after the show on Saturday night. We will open the venue at 5:00, and the auction starts at 6:00. Our newer auction location provides for a better auction experience. This is a true after-party vibe, complete with a patio and tacos! Stop by our booth for details. Please stick around and support our work to protect your freedom to have reptiles and amphibians as pets. It is FREE, and all show attendees and vendors are welcome!
BIG thanks to the Reptile Super Show for sponsoring this auction! Timberline will have some great donations, including a PS5 bundle, TurtleBox outdoor speaker, USARK LED sign, and more. See the bottom of this newsletter. Plus, there will be hundreds of other donations from vendors.There will be live and silent auctions, and we'll wrap it up quickly so everyone can enjoy the remainder of the evening. We appreciate everyone who donates and attends, as USARK would not be possible without these auctions and our supporters. Volunteers can email vanessa@usark.org for details.
Thank you to Ramy and the Super Show crew for your continued support of USARK and the herp community.Get full show details at https://reptilesupershow.com/.January 10-11
Saturday: 10 am-5 pm
Saturday: Super Show After Party and USARK Fundraiser at 6:00 pm (preview starts at 5:00)
Sunday: 11 am-5 pm
Pomona Fairplex/Los Angeles County Fairgrounds
1101 W. McKinley Avenue
Pomona, CA 91768
USARK Member Perk at the Reptile Super Show
USARK members get an exclusive sticker and raffle tickets! The sticker is below, and it was created by Adeline Robinson Artwork. The raffle winner gets a backpack, hoodie, and other USARK swag. Show us your digital membership card to get your sticker and raffle tickets. Thank you to all members! We will have this at other shows and online for members who cannot make it to the shows we attend. 
ALERT: Colorado Herp Rule Review
UPDATE 1/5/26: The draft regulations were just released. The next CPW Commission hearing is on January 14-15, and this item should be discussed around 10:40 Mountain Time on January 15. The deadline for written comments is 1/9/26 at noon Mountain Time. You must register for virtual testimony by noon on 1/9/26. In-person testimony is allowed without pre-registration.This will be the Commission's initial introduction to the draft. The vote should occur at the March 4-5 Commission meeting.Full details, links, and more at https://usark.org/25co2/.
ALERT: Orangeburg, SC
UPDATE 12/16/25: The ordinance was tabled at tonight's meeting with the motion made due to hearing concerns from many local residents. USARK's Phil Goss was there to represent responsible animal owners and received an acknowledgement from the Council, which was greatly appreciated. We value the Council's engagement and thoughtful consideration on this issue. The Council plans to have it on the February 17 agenda. Thank you to all of those who voiced their concern.
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 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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