ESA 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...

ESA: Southern hognose proposed as threatened

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...
ALERT: Colorado Herp Rule Review

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...

ALERT: LEMIS FOIA

Notice Pursuant to Executive Order 12600 of Receipt of Freedom of Information Act (FOIA); Requests for Wildlife/Flora Import and Export Data stored in LEMIS The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) has received multiple Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) requests...

ALERT: Borneo Earless Monitors ESA Listing

The United States Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) will post this document in the Federal Register tomorrow (9/14/25). It can be read on our website at https://usark.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/25-earless-2.pdf. If you breed or work with this species, please email...