Tinley time is here again! + USARK Board MeetingNARBC will draw thousands of herp enthusiasts from across the globe to Tinley Park, Illinois, this weekend. This show is one of the most anticipated of the year due to its great atmosphere and genuine camaraderie. If you are going and need feeder insects, scroll down to see Timberline's awesome offer for FREE Vita-Bugs, all in support of USARK!
The Saturday night auction is always huge. Stick around after the show to support the herp community. Thanks to Brian and Bob for their continued support of USARK! If you want to volunteer for USARK this weekend, email vanessa@usark.org.
The auction has both live and silent portions, so there are opportunities for everyone. Show attendees can come and hang out with the vendors while enjoying the always-amusing antics performed by Brian Potter.
USARK will hold a Board Meeting at 5:00 PM on Friday. USARK members are invited to attend.
NARBC Tinley Park, March 13-15 Schedule:
Friday: Setup and VIP only
USARK Board Meeting: Friday @ 5:00 PM in the Breman Meeting Room (convention center)
Saturday: 10:00-5:00 (VIP early entry)
Auction: 6:00 PM Saturday in the show convention center (room opens ASAP after the show for preview)
Sunday: 11:00-4:00 (VIP at 10:00 AM)
Location:
Tinley Park Convention Center
18451 Convention Center Drive
Tinley Park, IL 60477
More information at https://www.narbc.com/.
AUCTION NOTES: There will be adult-oriented language and shenanigans at the auction. While everyone is welcome, parents should be advised if bringing children. There will be appetizers and a cash bar. You must buy tickets at the auction door to be admitted.
FREE Vita-Bugs at Tinley!
From Timberline - "Tinley Park, you guys absolutely knocked it out of the park in the spring, and we know you're going to do it again! You've got one more chance to support our great friends at USARK! Donate at least $5 to our friends at USARK and take home some Vita-Bug feeders! Last time you guys wiped out our inventory for the show, so reserve yours today!"
LINK: https://store.timberlinefresh.com/pages/show
ALERT: Colorado Herp Rule Review
UPDATE 3/4/26: The CPW Commission voted to approve these rules today. Changes include allowing the sale, breeding, and possession of certain captive-bred herps, which are currently not allowed, including Western hognose, cornsnakes, kingsnakes, and others. The rules passed today are nearly identical to those posted below in our 1/5/26 update. One change, as requested by USARK, was the addition of “propagated” to the list of allowed activities. We also have a summary of changes in our 1/5/26 update linked below. Thank you to everyone who engaged and worked for these changes in Colorado.
UPDATE 1/15/26: The first hearing of the draft was today, and it was discussed as “Issues Identification.” The vote should be at the March 4-5 Commission meeting. USARK’s Phil Goss testified on behalf of responsible Colorado herpetoculturists. The National Animal Interest Alliance and a devoted field helper also testified.
Full details, links, and more at https://usark.org/25co2/.
ALERT: Arkansas Regulation Amendments
The Arkansas Game and Fish Commission (AGFC) has proposed changes to its Captive Wildlife species list. Among these changes is the addition of all tegu species to the Prohibited List. Currently, some tegus (only the genus Salvator) are on the Unrestricted List. Other tegus (i.e., Colombian/Golden tegu) are currently illegal to keep without a permit. The proposal also adds fire skinks to the Unrestricted List, and Dwarf Caimans, Western Painted Turtle, and Yellow-bellied Sliders to the Permitted List, along with other changes (read more on our website alert).Anyone who currently owns a tegu (prior to April 16, 2026) will be allowed to possess only those tegus if they register them by June 30, 2027. Concerned tegu owners, and especially anyone breeding them, should voice their concerns to AGFC.
The comment deadline is March 6. Get links and more information at https://usark.org/26ar/.
Wisconsin Herp Rule ReviewUPDATE 2/25/26: The Natural Resources Board hearing was today. USARK, National Animal Interest Alliance, and Pet Advocacy Network testified in opposition to the ban on possession of all native herps (except those currently kept that can be grandfathered and a few "color variants"), even those born under human care. USARK requested an allowance for the breeding and sale of captive-born herps. The Board passed the rule with some limited changes to the "color variant" section. We will post the final rule when it is available.
Get more details at https://usark.org/25wi/.
ALERT: Idaho Rat BanTwo bills, S1271 and H0536, have been introduced in Idaho. Both bills address a problem with Norway and Roof rats becoming increasingly problematic throughout the state, mainly in urban areas. H0536 permits the Board of Commissioners in each county to declare these rats agricultural pests and to take all actions they deem necessary to control them. S1271 declares these rats as a health and safety nuisance, invasive species, vermin, and agricultural, health, and welfare pest. It directs the Department of Agriculture Director to implement a plan by November 1, 2026.Norway rats are the primary food source for pet, zoo, and other snakes kept under human care, in addition to other animals, including birds of prey. The concern is that the state may completely ban Norway rats, which would lead to food-sourcing and animal welfare problems.
Get full details at https://usark.org/26id/.
ALERT: Powell, WY1/27/26: Powell, Wyoming, is reviewing its animal ordinance. This will likely be about more than typical “exotic animals” (note that the definition for this term varies greatly and is determined by whatever definition a government body creates). Powell lawmakers previously came under scrutiny (and a federal lawsuit) for prohibiting a woman from keeping a domesticated animal under its “exotic animal” law, so ordinance amendments could apply to any species. There is no current formal proposal or set hearing date, but local animal owners should become engaged to prevent an overreaching ban.
Get full details at https://usark.org/26wy/.
ALERT: Orangeburg, SCUPDATE 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/.
Endangered Species Act AmendmentsAmendments 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 (snippet below): 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 ListingPosted 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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