USARK: Dog (toothed cat snake) Days of Summer - July Recap

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World Lizard Day is August 14! USARK - July Recap July has brought us almost zero rain or cool weather; instead gracing us with an overabundance of proposed bans and a need for letters. While LA Pet Fair and IHS were some fun highlights, in between there was a trip to CITES, a problematic ordinance in Alabama, and that's not including preparing for the federal Endangered Species Act comments, continued work on big problems, and more. LA PET FAIR Above: Vanessa made a new toucan buddy. Below: As always, thank you to our volunteers who make every auction possible and to the LA Pet Fair for their generosity, auction sponsorship, and contributions to the herp community. Auction night is always packed! 50th Anniversary of the International Herpetological Symposium in Rodeo, New Mexico From top: Over 300 attendees at IHS held at the Chiricahua Desert Museum via the fabulous hosts and owners, Bob and Sheri Ashley. Jennifer L. Cook Left to right: Bob Ashley, USARK President Phil Goss, Ben Gresishaw, and Bryan Hughes. Just a few of the many IHS speakers. Below: Some AZ and NM critters spotted by USARK staff. Horned lizard, Western Diamondback rattlesnake, and Desert Box turtle. CITES Mid-year Animals Committee Meeting CITES (the Convention on the International Trade in Endangered Species) is the international trade and environmental treaty that ensures trade in wildlife and wildlife products does not threaten species with extinction. The core mission of CITES is to ensure trade in species listed under the Appendices is legal, traceable, and sustainable. The Animals Committee usually meets twice intersessionally, that is between meetings of the Conference of the Parties, where the 185 nations that have signed the Treaty meet to decide to list, delist, uplist, or downlist species on the Appendices and discuss and vote on other substantive matters of the Treaty. The role of the Animals Committee is to provide scientific advice and guidance to the Conference of the Parties, working groups and the Secretariat, deal with nomenclatural issues, undertake reviews of species listed under the Appendices, particularly when there are discrepancies in trade data, or it is believed the species may be subject to unsustainable trade. The Animals Committee also drafts resolutions for consideration by the Conference of the Parties. The 34th meeting of the CITES Animals Committee was held in Geneva, Switzerland, July 13-17. USARK attorney David Garcia attended under the USARK flag, and Art Parola represented USARK and allied organizations while officially speaking for the National Animal Interest Alliance (NAIA). During the meeting, many items on the agenda were relevant to USARK members. Several lizard, snake, and scorpion species were chosen for reviews of significant trade to evaluate quotas and ensure trade is sustainable. Marking requirements were discussed, including ensuring that requirements are appropriate for the physiology and welfare of each species. This is important because some species are too small or possess other characteristics that make implantation of a microchip impossible to perform safely. Conservation of amphibians, turtles, and tortoises was also on the agenda. One of the most important items on the agenda was the introduction of a proposal to consider updating the criteria for listing of species under the appendices to ensure that listing effectively aids in the conservation of the species. USARK was included in several intersessional working groups formed at the meeting of the Animals Committee. This is in addition to the intersessional working groups formed at the Conference of the Parties last year, which USARK continues to actively participate in. USARK’s continued participation in CITES is vital, as well as over 1,000 species of reptiles, over 380 species of amphibians, and a significant number of pet invertebrate species such as tarantulas and scorpions are listed under the appendices. While regulation under the CITES Treaty can aid in the conservation of a species, there is also the potential for listings and regulation to harm conservation by hindering captive breeding or creating conditions that incentivize poaching. In its participation, USARK seeks to promote policies aligned with CITES' core mission to ensure trade in listed species is legal, traceable, and sustainable. Update by Art Parola and David Garcia. Merch Alert!!! 2nd edition challenge coins are available on our website. For Daytona, email USARK FL at info@usarkfl.net. Email Vanessa C. at vanessa@usark.org for Reptile Super Show or NARBC. ALERTS & UPDATES + ALERT: Maryland Herp Regulations: https://usark.org/26md/ + ALERT: Diamondback Terrapin ESA 2: https://usark.org/26esa2/ + ALERT: Mobile, AL: https://usark.org/26mobile/ + ALERT: Texas “controlled exotic snake” permit: https://usark.org/26tx/ + California Rattlesnake Regulation: https://usark.org/26ca/ + ALERT: Grand Junction, CO: https://usark.org/26co/ + Souther Hognose ESA listing: https://usark.org/25esa3/ + ESA Amendments: https://usark.org/25esa4/ + Blue tree monitor ESA listing, UPDATE: https://usark.org/25esa1/ YouTube Check out our channel here www.youtube.com/@usark_official Interesting Articles 518-million-year-old creature reveals the origins of spider fangs Leave it: Dog trainers help pets avoid venomous snakes